Ellen Mary Garrotto

Ellen Mary Karrer Garrotto, 96, of Sioux City passed away Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 at a Sioux City nursing home. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Burial will be in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be one half-hour prior to service time at the funeral home. Ellen was born July 29, 1918, in Hubbard, Neb., the daughter of Alfred and Karen Jorgensen. She graduated from South Sioux City High School in the class of 1936. She married Charles Karrer on Sept. 17, 1940. He preceded her in death on June 6, 1986. She then married Tony Garrotto on Sept. 7, 1996. He preceded her in death on Sept. 2, 2004. She was a member of First United Methodist Church for more than 60 years. She taught Sunday school there for many years and was a member of Anemone Circle. She also was the recipient of Life Time Special Membership of United Methodist Women. Ellen served as past Worthy Matron of Rose Croix Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, where she was a member for more than 50 years, member of Lioness International, St. Luke's Auxiliary, served as an election official in Precinct No. 7, a Girl Scout leader for many years, White Shrine of Jerusalem and Daughters of the Nile. Ellen was the recipient of the Grand Cross of Color International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She is survived by her children, Linda Trout and her husband Kermit of Overland Park Kan., Richard Karrer and his wife Lila of Greenwood Miss., Alice Lanette Patch of Webster City, Iowa, and Penny Karrer and her husband Don Fetie of Sioux Falls, S.D.; two brothers, Arlo Jorgensen and his wife Marian of Hudson, Fla., and Harlan Jorgensen and his wife Marilyn of Rio Verde, Ariz; one sister, Helen Rogosch of Brandon, S.D.; grandchildren, Rebecca Bach, Matthew Karrer, Julie Patch and Karen Ries; and one great-grandchild, Sarah Karrer. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; and one sister, Betty. Memorials may be directed in Ellen's name to First United Methodist Church.