Ellen Forristall

Ellen Viola Forristall, one of eight children of Eva Mae (Booten) and Mark Adolph Davenport, was born at Grove Township near Carson, Iowa on October 31, 1918. Ellen attended country school and graduated from the Carson High School in 1936 where she played basketball. Following school, Ellen attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa and later to Beautician school in Omaha, Nebraska.
Ellen and Lyle Lincoln Forristall were married on September 14, 1940 at Papillion, Nebraska. They made their home in California where Lyle worked with his brother in the gardening business. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Lyle made plans to join the U.S. military and they returned to the Carson area so Ellen, who was expecting their first child, could be near her family. Lyle's health prevented him from serving and he eventually turned to a life-long farming career. Their marriage was blessed with three sons, Louis Edward, Lawrence Steven, and Lowell Lynn.
Ellen enjoyed her role as a mother, homemaker and farmer's wife. The family later became members of the Wheeler Grove Church near Carson. Ellen was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and held many positions, including Worthy Matron. She enjoyed bowling, playing pitch, bridge, and dancing. She and Lyle loved to travel and spent 23 years wintering in Weslaco, Texas. Ellen and Lyle had been married 62 years when Lyle died at their winter home on August 21, 2002.
Ellen eventually moved from the farm to her home in Carson. She became a member of the Carson United Methodist Church. She and special friend Don Fahrenkrug began attending community events together and soon their companionship grew into a strong friendship. As Ellen's health began to fail, Don stepped in to help care for Ellen, helping at her home, preparing meals, and taking her to appointments and events.
Ellen died at the Oakland Manor Care Center in Oakland, Iowa on February 18, 2007 at the age of 88 years, 3 months, and 18 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lyle Forristall; brothers Louis Davenport and Walter "Buzz" Davenport; sisters Carrie Parker, Nannie Keast, Margaret Davenport, Maxine Mass, and Nora Mueller. She is survived by her sons Louis Forristall and his wife Patricia of Houston, TX, Larry Forristall and his wife Kathy of Sioux Falls, SD, and Lowell Forristall and his wife Debra of Carson; 8 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Burial will be in the Wheeler Grove Cemetery, rural Carson, IA.