Ellen Fessler, Muscatine, IA
Survived by: Husband-Bryan, Son-Jared, Daughter-Jenna
Ellen was diagnosed on September 15, 2001 with Stage III Colon Cancer. She lived eight years with the disease.
Ellen had the most beautiful blue eyes, and a beautiful smile. She worked tirelessly for the students in her school as a Physical Education Teacher for 26 years and loved her family with all her heart. Her hobbies were golf, scrap booking, and attending her Children’s events. She also loved organizing fundraisers at her Elementary School and getting people to “volunteer” to help complete a project she wanted to see done. She won the Excellence in Education Award in 2001.
She had a heart of gold. She endured nearly three years worth of chemo, plus participated in clinical trials, rarely, if ever missed school, except on days of chemo. She remained confident that she would beat this disease, and told me she wasn’t going to let cancer run her life, and she sure didn’t. She never quit thinking of ways to make her school a better place for the students. I was fortunate to have been married to my best friend for over 27 years.
“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted” this was the message at the celebration of her life. She truly lived for her children and all of the children at her school.