Emma May Ellis, 104, of Atchison, Kansas died Monday, January 8, 2018, passing peacefully in her sleep.

Per her request, a visitation with the family will be on Saturday, January 13th, from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, Atchison.  A luncheon will follow as a celebration of her life at Paolucci’s Restaurant, Atchison.  Interment will be at a later time at Sugar Creek Cemetery, Rushville, Missouri.  Memorial contributions are suggested to American Legion Post #6, VFW Post #1175, or the Atchison Hospital Home Health and Hospice and may be left in care of the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.arensbergpruett.com

Emma May (Mim) was born on July 31, 1913 in Buchanan County, Missouri, the daughter of Edmund and Susie Wells.  She and her husband, Leroy Ellis, shared many labors, adventures and years together on the original Ellis homestead near Rushville, Missouri.  Mim particularly enjoyed cooking meals for family and friends virtually every weekend of their life together, with particular joy during the holidays.  It was not uncommon for 30-40 family and friends to be at holiday meals and never less than 10-12 on a routine weekend.  A special event for Mim and Leroy were the company “B”, 55th Armored Battalion, 11th Armored Division Reunions honoring Leroy’s and fellow veterans’ service during WWII.  Always a wonderful hostess and cook, she hosted the largest gathering of Company “B” veterans at the home near Rushville and Atchison.  No family, friend, or stranger ever left her home hungry. 

Emma was an accomplished quilter.  She shared her talent with others and created countless works of beauty and love as her trademark gifts for family and friends. 

She was a wonderful caregiver through their last years for her mother-in-law, Sidwell Ellis; her aunt, Buena (Mounce) Mays; her husband, Leroy; and daughters, Helen Louise (Moore) Smith and Beverly Jean (Moore) Wagner.

Survivors include her son, Lester R. (Connie) Moore, of the home; grandchildren, Donald (Shellie) Smith, Dearborn, MO; Greg Smith, Olathe, KS; Beverly (Jim) Moorehead, Plattsmouth, NE; Kirk (Deb) Wagner, Wichita, KS; Keith (Leslie) Wagner, Rushville, MO; Kent (Mary) Wagner, St. Joseph, MO; James (Donna) Rensenhouse, LaGrange, GA; Julie (Mark) Jacobs, Overland Park, KS; Alison (Chris) Whisenant, Columbia, SC; along with numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.