EllaMae Clingerman, of Buffalo, Wyoming, went to meet her Lord and Savior, on June 11, 2024. She was ushered into heaven by her loving husband, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A memorial service to honor her life is scheduled for August 17, 2024at 2 p.m. at the Buffalo Church of Christ, 1100 Fort Street with a potluck reception to follow. 

Ellie,as she liked to be called, was born on May 12, 19XX (we were sworn to never reveal her age), in Ligonier, Pennsylvania to Elmer Elsworth Pritts and Myrtle Blanche Trumbull. She was one of ten siblings who grew up in the backwoods (as she called them) of Pennsylvania and loved being close to nature. She was known for her love of God and His holy word which she read and listened to daily, her undying devotion to her husband, Lonnie Clingerman, and their sprawling family which recently grew to include two great grandchildren (whom she was undeniably devoted to), her pun-oriented sense of humor,being of service to those around her, and her respect and gratitude for our military veterans. She treasured her family and friends near and far. Her home is filled with pictures of family, friends, and those abroad who she created relationships with and/or helped in some form or another. 

Shemet her husband, Lonnie Clingerman, in 1971 and they were married in1972. They bought and were restoring an historic house when they talked about moving west. Ellie and Lonnie moved to Buffalo in 1977and they never looked back. They loved Buffalo and the Bighorn Mountains, which was the backdrop of many family adventures, hunting trips, and shenanigans. Ellie and Lonnie love to show off their wonderful town and mountains and they hosted family and friends for hunting season. Ellie loved cooking big meals for the hunters and relished in the stories they would bring to the table each night. 

Ellie loved children and always wanted to have a big family. Together Ellie and Lonnie had four children, Vanessa in 1974, Leah in 1976, Gina in1980, and Lonnie Barton II in 1983. But those weren’t Ellie’s only children - in the early 80s she opened Old Shoe Childcare and was a caregiver and friend to so many children in Buffalo. In the late 80s Ellie became a therapeutic foster parent and helped children in need across Johnson and Sheridan Counties. She and Lonnie fostered38 children during their years as foster parents. She created her big family through her love of caring for and fostering children. Shere gularly received graduation, wedding, and baby shower invites from all the kids that she was a caregiver and later, a grammie to over the years. Her home was a place of refuge for her family and those in need of family. Everyone was always welcome. 

She treasured the sunsets from her home on the hill. She loved flowers,her garden, her chickens, her chicken coop cat, the cows they raised,their horses, the birds and the deer that would take shelter in her yard, having coffee in the mornings with Lonnie at the pond, and so much more. She marveled at the beauty of this world and what it offered her. 

She enjoyed cooking for her friends and family. She was always baking sweet treats and dropping them off around Buffalo, at the bank, Agave Manor, to friends who were not as mobile as they used to be, and ofcourse for her family (banana bread forever!). Ellie was always thinking of others, thinking of things that would help someone feel special, included, looked after, and loved. Hunting and finding trinkets and gifts for her friends and family, especially if they were a bargain, brought her great joy. Ellie was a positive person who lived on the bright side of life. There was nary a situation that she couldn’t find a silver lining to. Her positivity and joy andher constant humor were a core part of who she was. 

Ellie was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Pritts, mother, Myrtle Trumbull, her siblings Eva Thomas, William Grace, Samuel Grace, Debra Mae Pritts, William Trumbull, by her mother-in-law Martha Jean Clingerman, her father-in-law Addison Byron Clingerman, and her brother-in-law Bryon Clingerman. Ellie never considered them herin-laws but her chosen family and Lonnie’s parents and brother loved her like their own. 

She was a dedicated and faithful wife to the love of her life, Lonnie Clingerman; She was a role model of a Christian mother who served God and always put her family first and prayed for them daily. She leaves many cherished memories to her daughters and their spouses Vanessa and Loren Woodin of Cheyenne, Wy, Leah and Scott Torkelson of Sheridan, Wy, Gina Clingerman and Josh Oakleaf of Lander, Wy; her son and his spouse Bart and Kristyn Clingerman of Banner, Wy; her grandchildren Seth and Anne Ables of Kaycee, Wy, Chase Ables of Buffalo, Wy, Katya and Vera Torkelson of Sheridan, Wy and Brooklyn and Wyatt Schultz of Banner, Wy; her great grandchildren Demetri andAurora Ables of Kaycee, Wy; Jenny, her favorite daughter; and her siblings Sandra Corey, Ruth Hemmerling, James Trumbull, and Rosie Pritts. 

Ellie’s family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses who provided her with outstanding care over the past several years; her friends for their love and support; Bethy Mauck, her hospice nurse who helped us usher her into the arms of her Lord and Savior, and her Christian family in Buffalo for their everlasting friendship, love, and support(Gina for the spaghetti plates that she loved so much). 

Rather than sending flowers to Ellie’s family, she would love donations tobe made in her honor to the Hands of Compassion. The folks at the Hands of Compassion helped bolster her faith in the Lord and in his children. They not only housed her and Lonnie during their stays in Rochester while she was receiving treatment but they continued to check on her after she returned home. She was very passionate about helping them complete another housing facility for others in need of lodging while undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic. 

The Hands of Compassion is a benevolent work overseen by the Rochester Church of Christ in Rochester, MN. Donations can be made on their website at https://www.hocrochester.com/donate,or can be mailed to Hands of Compassion, 840 W. Center Street,Rochester, MN 55902. Or you can call to arrange a donation at507-289-6025.

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Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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