Ellie Orth

"Ellie" Betty Eleanor (Borland) Orth was born February 19, 1928, in Bloomington Indiana, to Raymond Milton and Rosalie (Esarey) Borland.  She was born into heavenly life on January 10, 2019, at the age of ninety.  She married Herbert Walter Orth on June 12, 1948, and from this happy marriage four children were born:  Lyn (Scott) Patterson, Terry (Chris) Beloncik, Peter Orth and Kurt Orth.  Ellie was blessed to have six grandchildren:  Jeremy (Krissy) Patterson, Julie (Ken) Hughes, Eric (Patty) Orth, Tiffany Hoffman, Travis Hoffman and Andrew (Nelva) Lancaster; and ten great grandchildren:  Lexi, Seth, Anastacia, Delana, Brian, David, Jakob, Nathan, Blu and Amara.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her only sister Patricia Ann Borland Burchfield, her husband Herb, and her son Peter. 

Ellie graduated from Bloomington High School in 1946 and then attended Purdue University where she met her husband playing ping pong.  She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics, and in 1972 she earned her Master’s of Education (cum laude) from Central State University in Oklahoma.  She was a pioneer in the area of learning disabilities, tutoring initially at Tinker AFB, then as a teacher in Okarche and later teaching privately in her home.

She was an accomplished violinist.  Later in life she taught herself guitar and accordion.  She sang in church choirs from the time she was very young, taught the Bethel study at Our Lord’s Lutheran in OKC and loved attending Bible Studies.  She helped to form the contemporary instrumental group at St. Paul’s Lutheran in OKC while a member.

Ellie helped launch Granny’s Pantry, a clothing ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church south of Cushing; and later spearheaded the Stroud Community Clothing Center, where she worked until the time of her passing.  Her interests included travel, reading, gardening, hiking and mountain climbing, bird-watching, sewing, swimming and square dancing back in the day; and of course, chocolate!

Her constant companion the past six years has been a wire-haired terrier she named Rea (which means “friend” in Hebrew).  This beloved pet adored her and would not leave her side.  Rea, along with the rest of the family, will grieve the loss of a truly wonderful woman.

She is described as:  “A wonderful mother who led by example, truly a Proverbs 31 woman.”  “What started out as a niece (Eileen) calling her ‘Aunt Ellie’ at church camp in the sixties, ended in a whole generation of people calling her ‘Aunt Ellie.’  For me, a son, she was my life partner.  She was encouraging and was demanding so often when I wanted to give up.  Nothing I am or have today would have been possible without her.” “The strongest woman I have ever known.  A true mentor and evangelist who invested her heart in countless people over her lifetime.”  “Understanding, generous, hardworking, LOVING.”

For twenty years Ellie and Herb have been the mainstay of The Red Cup, a coffee shop owned by their son Kurt in Oklahoma City, and thoroughly enjoyed the people who were a part of the Red Cup Family.  This was without question her favorite place to go for entertainment and food! 

The family wants to acknowledge the wonderful hospice services provided by Physicians Choice of Chandler who served with a caring and sincere spirit!

Donations may be made to LaPorte Presbyterian Church, Box 387, LaPorte, Colorado 80535; or to the charity of one’s choice. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:00 p.m. Saturday February 16, 2019 at The Red Cup, 3122 N. Classen Blvd, Oklahoma City,   Casual attire is requested; come and share food, beverage and memories. Plan to arrive early as parking is 1 block North and on surrounding streets. Arrangements are under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston.

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