Born September 20, 1953, Ellen Louise McDowell passed away on January 23, 2025 at the age of 71. She was preceded in death by her parents, Stan and Harriet McDowell, her grandparents, Paul and Hattie Maske, and her many Cocker Spaniels – Sandy, Cleo, Becky, Dolly, Pepper, Heidi, Gretchen, Holly, and Lady.

Ellen graduated in 1972 from Grafton High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, and in 1976 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Columbia Hospital School of Medical Technology. At UWM, Ellen was a member of the Sigma Epsilon Sigma Freshman Women's Honor Sorority and the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. She was certified with the American Society for Clinical Pathology as a Medical Technologist, Specialist in Immunology and Specialist in Chemistry. Ellen worked for 33 years as a Medical Technologist and for 10 years at a company that produced products for HLA tissue typing.

In her retirement, Ellen enjoyed spending all of her time with her "once in a lifetime dog" Emma Lou, a beautiful chocolate Cocker Spaniel. She also enjoyed reading, crafts, hobbies and playing the piano.

Ellen had fond memories of her many summers vacationing in Door County with her parents, grandparents and dogs. She also remembered with pride her years playing the flute and piccolo in the Grafton High School Concert, Marching, Summer and Pep bands. But her best memories were of the times she spent with her loving and loyal Cocker Spaniels. Ellen had a dog (or two) her whole life.

Ellen will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grafton with her family at a later date.