Ellen M. Ward

Ellen Marie Ward, 92, of Topeka, passed away on Monday, August 14, 2006 at a Topeka care facility. She was born on August 24, 1913 in Topeka, the daughter of George J. and Maude Billings Metty. She graduated from Topeka Catholic High School in 1931. Ellen and her husband owned and operated Wards IGA in Silver Lake for over thirty years before selling the business in 1971. She then worked for the Kansas Department of Revenue for ten years before retiring in 1981. She was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville and Holy Name Catholic Church in Topeka. She was an avid bowler for many years. Ellen married Frank B. Ward on August 25, 1937. He preceded her in death on April 14, 1985. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Raymond Metty. Survivors include two sons, Gary L. Ward of Topeka and Robert D. Ward of Sandy, UT, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Mater Dei Catholic Church Holy Name Campus. Burial will follow in Prarie Home Cemetery. Ellen will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Friday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where a parish rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Mater Dei Catholic Church Holy Name Campus, 1114 W. 10th St., Topeka, KS 66604.