Helen "Dolly" Ellenbecker

Helen "Dolly" Marie Ellenbecker, age 101, passed away on June 22, 2026. She was born on October 31, 1924, in Marysville, Kansas, to Emil Utecht and Helen Brull Utecht.

Dolly grew up in Marysville with her older brothers, Marvin and Willis. In her youth, she enjoyed the Marysville City Swimming Pool and taking train rides with her mother to Hays, Kansas, to visit relatives. She especially enjoyed the family's shopping trips to St. Joseph and Kansas City.

In 1941, she was elected Marysville High School Football Homecoming Queen and was the drum majorette for the Marysville City Band. After graduating in 1942, she attended St. Mary's School of Nursing for four years and earned her Registered Nurse degree. During her training and after graduation, she served in Army hospitals in Kansas City; Springfield, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; and Salina, Kansas, caring for wounded soldiers returning from World War II.

After the war, she returned to Marysville and married Charles Ellenbecker on October 7, 1948, at St. Gregory's Catholic Church, where she and Charles were lifelong members. They moved to the family farm three miles west of Marysville to begin a life of farming and raising livestock. Helen adapted well to rural life, helping with the garden and raising capons, though she never climbed onto a tractor, heeding her mother-in-law's advice. She became well known for preparing delicious meals of fried chicken or freshly caught catfish served with tomatoes, fresh corn, and other garden produce. She perfected her peanut butter and strawberry pie recipes. She faithfully honored her wedding vows, along with the added expectation of keeping her husband supplied with a continuous assortment of cookies. These included chocolate chip, M&M, oatmeal, and her trademark molasses cookies.

In 1961, she welcomed her first child, Linda Ann, who was a true blessing in her life. Linda blessed Helen and Charles with four grandchildren: Jim Peterson (Dale Lee), Jean Tate, Laura Kruse (Pete), and Mike Peterson (Shyla), along with 13 great-grandchildren. Linda currently lives in Marysville. In 1964, their son, Charles David, was born. He now resides in Peoria, Illinois, with his wife, Cassandra, and their three children, Alyssa, Rachel, and Brady.

She spent 78 years on the family farm three miles west of Marysville. She and Charles shared 48 years of marriage before his death in 1996. In 2020, she moved to Peoria, Illinois. She loved watching tennis, ice skating, and KU and KSU sports, often staying up late to catch the end of an exciting game or following one of her favorite tennis players. She also enjoyed The Lawrence Welk Show, Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, and America's Funniest Home Videos.

She will always be remembered for her kindness, laughter, pleasant demeanor, positive outlook, and quick wit.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, and her brothers, Marvin and Willis.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda Dossett of Marysville; her son, Charles (Cassandra) Ellenbecker of Peoria, IL; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, at St. Gregory's Catholic Church in Marysville. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established for St. Gregory's Catholic Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary, P.O. Box 147, Marysville, KS 66508.