Ellen Marie Schmitz

Ellen Marie Schmitz, born in Tacoma, WA on October 4, 1939, passed away at Good Samaritan in Puyallup on May 27, 2023, after battling pneumonia.

Ellen was the eldest daughter of James & Ester Andersen.  Her early years were spent working on the family farm in Edgewood where she could do anything she set her mind to (and that was A LOT).  Raising and showing Angus cattle, loading cattle from area farms for custom slaughter, custom meat wrapping & gathering eggs are a few examples.  She could drive a tractor like no other and spent endless hours baling hay every summer for local farms and the Puyallup Fair parking lots (they used to be fields).

Jim and Ester raised their daughters so they could stand up to any boy in the neighborhood and everyone who ever shook Ellen’s hand could attest to this.  The exceptional people who cared for Ellen at Good Samaritan all commented on her strong hands.  Ellen and Mary grew up hearing they were not “any better than anyone else but we were just as good as everyone else” and to “stand up and be proud”.

On August 21, 1964, Ellen married Duane, the love of her life.  This was a perfect match as both were avid bowlers (they met at Valley Lanes in Sumner).  Ellen was an outstanding bowler, making the All Star Women’s Team numerous times.  Duane and Ellen enjoyed regular trips to Reno and many fishing trips.  Priceless memories were created with friends and family every year during hunting season in Winthrop.

Ellen retained her love of cattle by working as the weighmaster at Auburn & Enumclaw sales pavilions starting in the 1970’s.  She met her very best friend, Marilou McDougal, while at Enumclaw and enjoyed a friendship spanning over 40 years.  In the 1980’s, she joined the Puyallup Fair (Washington State Fair) as Assistant Beef Superintendent, soon becoming THE Beef Superintendent for open-class beef.  Her Fair family not only encompassed everyone who worked there, but all of the exhibitors who came to show cattle.  Her grandsons were lucky enough to share these years being grandma’s “helpers” in the beef office (the other loves of her life).

The Northwest Junior Livestock Show (NWJLS) was important to Ellen, and she served as their Secretary Treasurer for over 30 years.  Her face lit up when talking with all of the 4H and FFA students and theirs did as well.  Possibly the pinnacle of the show was when she could watch her grandsons bring their own hogs through the show and Duane being the auctioneer.

Our family expresses their heartfelt appreciation for the care given to Ellen at Edgewood Country Retreat.  Even though Ellen was with them for a very short time, Cora held a special place in her heart until the very end and we are so thankful.

Ellen is survived by Duane (husband), Janice Feroy (daughter), Mary Andersen (sister), Jon Feroy (son in law), Erik Feroy (grandson) & Evan Feroy (grandson).