Ellen D. Mazurana

Ellen Mazurana, 80, of Greeley, passed away on October 12, 2021 in Loveland, Colorado. She was born to Manfred and Hildegard (Heckerman) Reininga on February 14, 1941 in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Ellen grew up attending a small country school where she excelled quickly. She eventually graduated at the age of 16 from Reitz High School in Evansville, IN. Ellen went on to obtain her BS in Biology and then her MS in Science Education from the University of Indiana, Bloomington where she met her beloved husband of 55 years, Steve. Ellen loved her family, gardening, watching sports, travel, the national parks, and watching the birds from her sunroom in Greeley, CO and the deck at their cabin in Estes Park, CO. She was also at every game and event her three children participated in, and many more for her 6 grandchildren. Ellen loved volunteering at her children’s schools (Trinity Lutheran, University HS), her church, Centennial Village, Habitat, Girl Scouts, with women undergoing breast cancer treatment at NCMC and as an election official among others. She lived a life of service to her community. An avid reader, Ellen worked in the Eaton School district as an elementary school librarian. She knew all the children and would order in books she knew each one would especially like. She inspired a love of reading and school in all her children and grandchildren, reading them literally hundreds of books as they grew up. Ellen was an exceptionally generous and caring woman. Her care and support extended beyond her family to the greater world community. She fully supported numerous children from childhood to high school graduation who had been terribly affected by war and most recently Afghan refugees. Like Ellen, they now help their own communities. Ellen was grateful for the wonderful care she received at Columbine Commons in Windsor, CO. She enjoyed the activities like garden club, resident council, and bingo. But nothing was more special than the friends she made among the staff and residents. Ellen is survived by her husband, Steve Mazurana; children, Dena (J.D.) Keenan, Dyan Mazurana and Michael (Amber) Mazurana; six grandchildren: Greyson, Tara, Ayele, Hadia, Cole and Keira; siblings, Joan Ready and Ken (Sharyl) Reininga; sister-in-law Gail Reininga; and her beloved nieces and nephews David Ready, Lauren (Dave)Crittendon, Becky (Jack)Fanton, Chris (Christy)Reininga, Charles (Kim)Reininga, Deanna Reininga, Jill Reininga and Kendra Reininga. She was preceded in death by her parents and sibling, John Reininga. Ellen requested that In lieu of flowers please send donations to assist the Afghan refugees coming to the United States via ArtLords https://www.artlords.co/donate; The National Parks Foundation https://www.nationalparks.org or your local library. A service for Ellen will be held at Adamson Chapels on May 6th 2022, beginning at 2:00 PM with a reception to follow.