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Ellen Mabel (Zwemer) Jones passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by family, on Aug. 28, 2025. Ellen was born in Powell, Wyoming, into the loving arms of Pearl and Boyd Jones, on Dec. 15, 1927. She was raised on the family farm outside of Garland with older brothers, Bill and Herb. She graduated from Powell High School in 1946. Soon after, she married Chester Zwemer. Life together began outside of Warren, Montana. Ellen worked hard, having no electricity nor running water, to raise a baby, cattle and horses with Chet.
Soon after the second baby arrived, they bought the farm in Deaver. Together they raised five children: Nancy Dea (Dea Dea), Connie, Zoe, Daniel and Zan. They continued to raise cattle but later decided sheep were a better fit. Ellen made many of the children’s clothes and insisted on piano and singing lessons. She nurtured the kids’ music abilities to great heights and accolades which filtered down to many grandchildren. She also worked as the postmaster in Deaver and raised huge gardens.
When the three girls had moved out, Ellen decided to get a job in Powell, to be closer to her aging mother. She worked in the laundry at the Powell Hospital and quickly became the manager. She purchased a home, grew beautiful flowers, enjoyed friends, bowling and knitting. She was also an expert quiltmaker.
Sometime after Chester passed, Ellen reconnected with an old high school sweetheart who had lost his wife. After 60 years the two reunited with the same youthful spark. She married Milton Jones and moved to his home in Pleasantville, California. They had many travels and adventures together. When his health failed, Ellen’s kids helped bring her back to live in Billings. Milt passed in 2014.
In later years, she especially enjoyed visits from some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who loved her dearly. She had the best caring friend in daughter Connie, laughter and outings with son Dan, visits and lunches with Zan, and enjoyed eating out with family. Loving to shop, Ellen’s admired stylish clothes would match from her blingy jewelry down to her sparkly shoes. She was quick-witted, current on news events, and had an amazing memory, right up to the end of her life. She is dearly missed.
She was preceded in death by both parents, two husbands and one daughter — Nancy D. Jensen. She is survived by her four remaining children, 11 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial will take place Oct. 25, 2025 at the Powell Church of Christ at 2 p.m. Memories can be shared on the Michelotti-Sawyer website.
