Ellen Adee Obituary

Ellen Adee passed away peacefully on July 11, 2025, with family by her side on her farm outside of Phillipsburg, Kansas where she spent the last 70 years. She was 91. Ellen Yvonne Bushnell was born on November 9, 1933, to John Wellington Bushnell and Sarah (Eller) Bushnell in Speed, Kansas. Ellen attended school in Kirwin, Kansas where she excelled in dramatic arts. Following high school, she graduated from Brown Mackie business school in Salina, Kansas before moving to Phillipsburg where she worked at the Gas Company and invited her beloved Grandmother, Rosella Eller, to live with her until her marriage. On February 26, 1956, Ellen married Jack Adee of rural Phillipsburg, Kansas, following a blind date arranged by Doyle and Charlotte Rahjes. Among Ellen's favorite memories of their courtship was Jack taking her dancing and roller skating. Jack and Ellen made their home near Phillipsburg where they built a successful farm life together. Ellen was a whip-smart farm manager, serving as bookkeeper, human resource officer, and marketing and sales representative, all while nourishing the farm and those who helped in production. She was known for her delicious cooking and legendary strawberry milkshakes. Ellen and Jack welcomed Lesli Diane on March 8, 1957. Diane was the light of their lives and they cherished raising her on the farm. Ellen enjoyed hosting her nieces and nephews for stays at the farm, which cultivated Diane's close relationships with her cousins, continuing to this day. The farm was Ellen's favorite place to be, and the center of her heart until the end. An eager hostess, she (and Jack) welcomed many friends to the farm, with their card parties serving as the source of many happy and lively memories. Her daughter and son-in-law (Tim) developed a deep love of the farm as well, marrying there in 1979 with a beaming Ellen and Jack hosting the event. Ellen was a keen gardener, with strawberries and tomatoes among her favorite crops; an animal lover (raising everything from geese to horses to peacocks); and helped keep meticulous care of the farm. She nursed many farm cats, teaching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren the ever-repeated phrase: "Can it come home with us?" A fan of a good bonfire, Ellen was on a first-name basis with the Phillips County Rural Fire Department, and often perked up at the sight of a nicely-stacked wood pile which then was typically chased by a gasoline-filled old boot to ignite a "good time"! When Ellen wasn't at home, she was often tracking down farm parts for Jack or running various errands, always with a fresh lipstick application. She would never turn down a maple stick, a piece of sour cream-raisin pie and a fresh cup of coffee with her sister or a friend, or a trip to Dairy Queen for butterscotch sundaes with her grandchildren. With a natural curiosity and a love of learning, Ellen enjoyed Adult Education classes through Colby Community College and computer classes at the library. Wanting to learn more about Jack's love of flying, she decided to enroll in ground school as well. She enjoyed researching new topics, often passing an encyclopedia to her grandchildren to help find the answer to random queries. They loved learning about new subjects together. She kept in shape with her favorite activity: swimming. Ellen shared this passion with her grandchildren also, sneaking them off for a weekend stay at a hotel where she and the children unapologetically took over the pool until closing time. Throughout her life, Ellen had a deep love for the arts-she was a talented painter and photographer who took great joy in nurturing her creative spirit. Not known for any vices, the most questionable hobby Ellen enjoyed was making late-night QVC purchases to surprise her family with. (Always a surprise!) Ellen had a zest for travel. Ellen and Diane frequently traveled together, including trips to New York and Las Vegas to visit Jack's brother Don and his wife Jonnie, as well as family skiing adventures in Colorado. Following Jack's retirement from farming, the couple began exploring in their Bluebird motorhome. Trips to Alaska, Brownsville, Texas, and a surprise visit from their daughter and family while vacationing in Durango and Gunnison, Colorado became some of their most cherished memories. Not one to say no to an adventure, Ellen also enjoyed participating in trips led by First National Bank of Phillipsburg. Even a local auction could elevate her heart rate! Ellen loved hearing peoples' stories - where they were from, who they were related to - and could often find a few points of connection in mere moments of visiting with a new acquaintance. Ellen was a constantly present grandmother, hosting her grandchildren for summer and school breaks at the farm. Their favorite activities included hitching a ride in grandma's big, yellow cart down to the cottonwoods where she taught them the skill of cutting down wayward cedar trees. She cleared her basement and taught her grandchildren how to roller skate, no doubt in reminiscence of her glory days skating in Kirwin. Always wanting to show them a good time, she taught the kids how fast the gator could run on the country roads and the best techniques for winning the family reunion egg toss. The children remember her super-human strength as she pulled them up the sledding hill whenever there was a good snow. Other favorite activities included helping make mud pies in the potting shed, introducing the children to the Rooks County Fair tilt-a-whirl, finding old cowboy boots to top off fenceposts, and seeing how long the children could hold their breath while driving over the Gretna viaduct after a trip to town (weeeeeeeee!). Ellen jumped at the opportunity to attend school programs, plays, dance recitals, graduations, and get togethers. Her radiant smile and enthusiastic applause exemplified her love and adoration for her family and their accomplishments. Family dinners were full of laughter and simple lessons of love and family. Ellen delighted in listening to her grandchildren's stories--especially when shenanigans were involved (which she may or may not have frequently encouraged). She often thought Diane and Tim had children purely for her own entertainment value. Ellen passed down the love of card playing to her daughter and grandchildren, often asking for one more round of Kings in the Corner or Pitch before bed. When her great-grandchildren were born, Gigi became a fixture in their lives as well, connecting generations to a love of the land, animals, and the farm life, teaching them how to play cards, garden, and how to host a quality tea party. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, Ellen was devoted to her faith, which she exemplified in her daily care for others. She lived by the principle, "Treat everyone as you would want to be treated," and always sought the best in others. Her optimistic, positive demeanor, combined with a sincere interest and concern for people, reflected her deep compassion. Friends lovingly called Ellen, her sister Gloria, and dear friend Norma Johnson "the three musketeers" for their friendship. Ellen's carafes of Folger's coffee were always a big hit at get togethers or on road trips. Her fan club reached throughout Kansas, and friends (young and old) continued to keep in touch throughout her life. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, John and Sarah Bushnell; her beloved husband Jack; and siblings Will Schalansky, Jr. and wife, Elda; Gloria (Bushnell) Babcock; Ray Bushnell; Earl Bushnell; Warren Bushnell, and Gary Eller. Ellen is survived by daughter Lesli Diane and "favorite son-in-law" Tim Schrader of Salina, Kansas; grandchildren Stefani Schrader (Toby Gebhart) of Manhattan, Kansas; Elizabeth Sauer (Garrett) of Wichita, Kansas; Elliott Schrader (Jennifer) of Salina, Kansas; Spencer Schrader (Shelbey) of Salina, Kansas; great-grandchildren Ellison, Jack, Charlotte, and Caroline Sauer and Lottie Schrader; brothers-in-law, Don Babcock, Phillipsburg; Don Adee (Jonnie), Sumter, South Carolina; and sister-in-law Ann Bushnell, Phillipsburg, in addition to treasured nieces and nephews with whom she remained close. The family plans a private celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Phillips County Rural Fire District #1 or Hospice Services of Northwest Kansas. Condolences for the family may be left in care of the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, Kansas 67661. Ellen lived a full, meaningful, and adventurous life, and her family looks forward to carrying on in her footsteps. We love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck, our darling Gigi.