Ellena Nelson, 66, died Nov. 10, 2007, at a Havre hospital due to a heart attack.
Cremation has taken place and her memorial service will be 11 a. m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church. A fellowship gathering will follow the service for friends and family. Ellena was born on June 9, 1941, to Dora and Roscoe Gregory in Santa Cruz, Calif.. She graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1957. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in music at San Jose State University in California. She taught music in northern California and returned to Santa Cruz in 1976. She was a lifelong music teacher, enjoyed playing the piano and organ at numerous churches. In the mid 1980’s she earned her master’s degree in theological music for diaconal ministry at Scarritt College in Nashville, Tenn. After leaving Nashville, she worked in Kentucky, Wyoming, and Montana. She reminisced fondly about her days in Santa Cruz CA, but her heart and soul was in Montana for these last 15 years. Ellena celebrated 30 years of sobriety this year, and had numerous friends in Havre. She is survived by her three and their families: Ted (Yvonne) Nelson of Sacramento, California; Andy (Colleen) Nelson of Albany, Oregon; and Alex (Carissa) Nelson of Stockton, CA. Grandchildren: Samuel Nelson of Sacramento, CA; Alyssa and Ryan Nelson of Albany, OR; Andrew, Jacob, Bailey, Alexandra, and Aaron Nelson of Stockton, CA. Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the Salvation Army in Havre. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home
