Elinor 'Ellie' Felicia (Carlson) Buchanan, 93

Elinor “Ellie” Buchanan was born in Moose, Wyoming, on Jan. 9, 1925, to Roger Frederick Carlson and Lauretta Marie Sensenbach Carlson. The family soon moved to California and then returned to Moose and Jackson, Wyoming, in 1931. Later they moved to Rock Springs, where Ellie graduated from high school in 1942.

She worked in a dental office until her enlistment into the Navy WAVES on Feb. 13, 1945. She took her boot training at Hunter College in New York and Hospital Training Corps at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. This was the first year women entered the service and she proudly served her country. Ellie was assigned to the Oaknoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California, and worked there until honorably discharged June 13, 1946, as World War II had ended.

She returned to Wyoming and worked in the surgical department at Rock Springs General Hospital, then worked in an accounting office until her marriage to Chester “Buck” Buchanan on Aug. 20, 1947. Their daughter, Penny Lee Buchanan, was born June 14, 1950, in Casper, Wyoming. In March of 1951, the family moved to Miles City, where Buck was transferred with Social Security Agency and later another transfer brought them to Kalispell in January of 1961.

Twenty five of their best years were spent living on Brown’s Gulch in Mountain Brook where they knew most of their neighbors and entertained often in their garden. It was here that they adopted many friends as family.

Ellie is survived by Penny of Rathdrum, Idaho; and her brothers, Gene (JoAnne) and Chuck (Jan).

Her husband, Buck, parents and two sisters, Eunice and Gabby preceded her in death.

She was cared for and loved by many close friends during her final days and shared so many interesting stories of her 93 years.

A memorial service was held Feb. 28 at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, followed by a military salute by the VFW.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.