Dolores Mae (Finckler) Ellis

Dolores Ellis, ninety-six, passed away peacefully this morning at home, with her daughter Julie holding her hand in the quiet light of the bedroom.

Born in 1929, Dolores married Jim in her younger years and together they welcomed two children, Julie and Denny.  After many years together, they parted ways in 1977.  Two years later, in 1979, she married Themeo, the love she had waited for. They shared thirty-six joyful years—kitchen dances, shared laughter, and a quiet, unshakable companionship—until his passing ten years ago.

Dolores raised Julie and Denny with steady love. Julie was at her side this morning. Denny passed four years ago. Denny’s wife, Carmen, cared for Themeo in his final months with gentle devotion, then cared for Denny through his illness, and finally continued to care for Dolores with the same unwavering strength and kindness in the years that followed.

Julie’s sons, Joshua and Zachary, along with their families—Joshua with Carijo and their daughters Ella and Reese, Zachary with Katie and their sons Brennan and Jace—filled her later years with warmth and noise. Denny’s daughter Amy had two sons Brandon and Blaine who brought the lively energy she cherished.

When she married Themeo, she welcomed his two children from his first marriage, Christina (Mark) and George (Laurie) into her heart. Christina has two children of her own, Shana and Christopher, who knew Dolores as a grandmother in every way that mattered.

Dolores played tunes late at night on the piano, and she taught her daughter Julie how to find the same notes. She never gave formal lessons to anyone else, but she’d sway to her own rhythm across the living-room rug, cigarette in one hand and scotch or wine in the other. She’d sneak a smoke on the back porch, swearing the dogs needed fresh air. Rescue and stray dogs were her true passion—every one she found wandering the streets got rescued, given a name, a place on the couch, and the kind of love that never ran out. Her last and most devoted companion was Hunter, the barking dog who never left her side until his final days.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the Good Samaritan Hospice team out of Nisswa, whose compassionate care, gentle presence, and quiet expertise brought comfort and dignity to Dolores in her final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dolores’s memory to Paws and Claws of Hackensack, MN, the animal rescue organization that shared her deep love for stray and rescue dogs. She would have wanted every dollar to help another wandering soul find a home and a soft place to rest.

No service. No flowers. Just open the windows, let the piano keys gather a little dust, pour a finger of scotch or wine on the roses, and play something slow. She’ll be listening, cigarette in hand, that familiar smile no one could see. Rest in peace, Gma Dee….

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dolores Mae (Finckler) Ellis, please visit our floral store.