Ellavon Genevieve Snell

Ellavon went home to be with the Lord peacefully on July 28, 2014, surrounded by her loving family.  Ellavon was born on March 14, 1929 to Arthur and Minnie Ketcham (Holen) in Lorraine, North Dakota.  The family moved to Kevin where she attended schools in Oilmont and graduated in 1947.

At age 11 she began working various jobs some of which included the Ben Franklins store, and Mitchell’s Roller Rink in Shelby.  It was at the roller rink where she met the love of her life, Nyle Snell.  Upon Nyle’s return from serving in Korea, they rekindled their relationship and were married on May 9, 1953. From this union three children were born.  They both worked for Consolidated Freightways in Shelby and then transfered to Miles City, for short period of time.  They returned to Shelby where Nyle worked for the Montana State Highway Department, and Ellavon worked for Safeway.  Nyle was then promoted to supervisor of the Sunburst area for State Highway Department, while Ellavon worked various jobs around Sunburst.  It was in Sunburst where Ellavon began her 30 plus year career with Avon, which lead to earning President Club status for the majority of those years.

Throughout Nyle and Ellavon’s life together they enjoyed working at the Vet’s Club, riding motorcycles, and participating in parades.   They thoroughly enjoyed driving their vintage red Cadillac convertible at the front of every parade which honored the veterans with the American flag waving.

During the last year of her life, Ellavon lived with her son Alan and his family in Helena.   During this time she enjoyed winning many games of Dominos, riding in the red Cadillac convertible, shopping, and traveling.   In her last few months she often mentioned how fun it would be to go on a motorcycle ride and to go roller skating again.

Ellavon was preceded in death by her husband Nyle in 2002.   She is survived by her brother Arlo Ketcham (Sharon) of California; children Arla Blount (Rick) of Great Falls, Lana Ahrens (Lynn) of Sunburst/Great Falls, and Alan Snell (Lisa) of Helena; grandchildren Arlana Carter (Vercin), Justin Blount (Soraya), Janae Ahrens, Jerri High (Colt), Steven Ahrens (Afton), Amanda Snell, Adam Snell; and 9 great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at Whitted Funeral Home in Shelby on Thursday, July 31, 2014 from 5-7 p.m.

Her funeral service will be held Friday, August 1, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Sunburst Methodist Church, burial to follow at the Sunburst cemetery; followed by a celebration of Ellavon’s life at the Vet’s Club in Sunburst.