Dawn Marie Ellis

 Dawn Marie Ellis passed away on Wednesday, August 13 due to complications related to ALS (Lou Gerhig’s Disease). She was 57.

She touched many people throughout her life and will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Dawn Marie was born June 2, 1968 in Cedar Rapids, IA to C. Jay and Gail (Stewart) Wurtele and graduated from George Washington Senior High School in 1986. She graduated from Iowa State University in 1994 and worked in counseling, research and social services after graduation.

She met her husband, David Ellis, at college and was married on June 14,1997. In 2000, she and David moved to Westminster, and later, to Loveland, CO.

She loved the outdoors and learned Natural History Illustration and watercolor and kept nature journals of local plants and seasonal changes. She enjoyed reading, knitting, the arts, science museums, National Parks, and caring for her plants and cats. 

Dawn Marie was preceded in death by her grandparents Clifford J. and Meta (Bergmann) Wurtele and George and Mildred (Spancake) Stewart; her sister, Cara Jean; and her father, C. Jay Wurtele.

She is survived by her husband, David; mother, Gail Stewart of Cedar Rapids; brother, Ryan Wurtele (Jamie) of Atkins, IA; nephew Kayden and niece Cheyenne, also of Atkins.

Dawn Marie was diagnosed with ALS in late July 2024. Doctors still do not fully understand the disease and there is no cure. She was cremated and plans for Celebration of Life are forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, please donate to ALS United. 

Services will be held at Viegut Funeral Home on August 21, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to follow.  A second memorial will be held in Cedar Rapids at a future time and date to be announced in the Cedar Rapids Gazette.