Eleanor M. Ambrose

Eleanor “Ellie” Margaret Ambrose, 84, Linn Valley, KS, went to be with the Lord on March 23rd, 2018. Ellie was born in Nevada, Missouri to Clyde T. and Susiebelle McGuire. She went to school at Prairie Center up through the 5th grade and then transferred to Sheldon. Ellie’s academic excellence awarded her the honor of attending Girls State her senior year of high school. Additionally, she was on the A Team in basketball and was their star shooter. Ellie’s passion for basketball continued her entire life as she loved cheering on the Kansas Jayhawks. Ellie went on to graduate from Sheldon High School and then moved to Kansas City where she worked in administration at Warner Brothers Distributing Co., Sherwood Chemical Co. and Healy Enterprises. She began telemarketing for the newly established Ambrose Sales Co. in 1977. Ellie was very proud of her $3.00 commission on her first sale and still has that original $3.00 to this day. For more than 40 years, Ellie worked with tireless devotion and wonderful energy to support their family business through three generations. Ellie met Norman, the love of her life, on a blind date at a friend’s house in Wichita. After keeping in touch via letters while Norman lived in California, he moved back to Kansas and asked for her hand in marriage. They were married on March 25th, 1955 in Wichita, KS and were inseparable their entire lives. Ellie and Norman shared everything together, from dancing the jitterbug, playing golf and exploring the country in their RV to watching the Royals play baseball. In her free time, Ellie enjoyed playing cards with her friends and was an avid and skilled pool player – beating nearly everyone she played. She also had a gift for winning money; unwinding at the casino was one of her favorite activities. Ellie and Norman raised their two sons, Greg and Jeff, in Wichita, Olathe, and Louisburg, KS. Ellie had a close relationship with both of her boys. She and Greg could dance a mean tango together all across dance floor. Jeff would often refer to his mom as his favorite person in the world, talking to her every day. Ellie adored and doted on her grandchildren. Some of her grandchildren’s favorite memories are from their sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Grandma Ellie would make them her special spaghetti dinner followed by warm washcloths for cleanup – often ending up in laughter all around. Ellie and her granddaughter Alicia shared a special close bond as they would also talk nearly every day. On top of her love for her grandchildren, Ellie’s great-grandchildren stole her heart. Lindsay loved to dance and sing with her Grandma Ellie, making them both smile and laugh tremendously. When Ellie met Miles for the first time, there was instant mutual adoration. Ellie was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Her passion and commitment to loving her family and friends was evident in all she did. Ellie is preceded in her death by her parents, sons Greg Ambrose and Jeff Ambrose, brother Gerald McGuire (Lorraine) and George McGuire (Patty). She is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, Norman Ambrose, Linn Valley, KS; sister Betty Jean Runion (‘Teeny’), Independence, MO; grandchildren Alicia Ambrose, Liberty, MO, Matt Ambrose (Melanie), Olathe, KS, Michael Ambrose, Olathe, KS, and Nathan Ambrose, Salt Lake City, UT; great-grandchildren Lindsay Ambrose and Miles Ambrose; daughters-in-law Debbie Ambrose, Olathe, KS and Trisha Ambrose, Overland Park, KS; and many loved nieces, nephews, family and friends. A visitation will be held Friday, March 30th, 2018 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at the Louisburg United Methodist Church 249 N. Metcalf Louisburg, KS. Funeral service will follow from 11:00-12:00 p.m, burial in the Louisburg Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the United Methodist Church of Louisburg, KS or the Linn Valley Community Church C/O Dengel & Son Louisburg Chapel P.O. Box 669 Louisburg, KS 66053 To share your memories of Eleanor or leave a special condolence message for her family, please click the Share a memory button.