Obituary
Ellen Ten Eyck, long-time resident of Marmot, made her last strawberry shortcake this summer. She passed peacefully at home, with family, on June 22, 2025.
Here is a little bit of her story:
Ellen Ten Eyck (Frum) was born August 14, 1940, in Portland, Oregon to Cecil and Ida Frum of Canby, Oregon. She grew up in Canby, with her brother Bob and a gaggle of vivacious Norwegian cousins. She left her college studies at Pacific Lutheran University to be closer to Dan Ten Eyck of Sandy at OSU. They married and she got her PHT degree (Pushed Hubby Through), working while he finished school.
The next several years, Ellen was a good army wife, moving from base to base, their family growing along the way. They returned to Sandy to take over the family farm in 1966. She was farm wife and business partner in Ten Eyck Ranch while starring in her role as mother of four. She gave it her all in the panel wagon days, refereeing living room wrestling matches, playing reluctant hostess to farm animals in the house, and always making delicious meals for her family. She sang beautifully and played organ at the Lutheran church.
Ellen and Dan hosted memorable annual Christmas parties for Dan’s large circle of work friends at Reynold’s Aluminum Co. She and Dan led Sandy Livestock Club and other 4-H clubs for the better part of two decades, investing time at Clackamas County Fair. Ellen’s birthday was long eclipsed by fetching cans of spray adhesive for making astonishing bouffant cow tails and making sure the right people were at the livestock auction to get the kids top dollar for their market animals and keeping the barn duty schedule running like clockwork. A few moments were set aside to honor her with a carnival clown juggling chicken bones and a dish of homemade vanilla ice cream.
Ellen embraced extending her family to bring her mother-in-law to the farm in 1980, wrapping her in love for her swan song. She met these sandwich years with grace, diligence and kindness. She made sure her children were on time for wrestling practice, flights, and college applications. In her spare time, she earned an Associate's Degree at Mt. Hood Community College. In these years she also added another hat as a professional secretary, working first at Mt. Hood Community College, then Davis and Graves, and later for Richard Egner law offices. Her intelligence and attention to detail were assets to these businesses for more than a decade.
Traveling punctuated the middle years. A trip of a lifetime to Scandinavia with her husband. A number of romantic trips to Hawaii. Several adventures with her sister-in-law JoAnn Kock. Travel to quilting events in California, New England, and Washington. Annual pilgrimages to Alaska for fishing, selflessly cooking for the crew.
Through it all, she was a seamless partner to her husband. She–well, NOT silently– equipped his every effort. When Dan was President of the Oregon Simmental Association, she was at his side as Secretary. She met him with homecooked meals and thoughtful input. Her musical reminder of “I love you!” was frequently to be heard in their home. And his laconic rejoinder: humbug! His tender love was never silent though: it spoke through unending cards where he spelled it out, the flowers he brought to her, his loving protection and provision all of the sixty-six years they shared.
She was thrilled as each of their children married, and the payoff: grandkids! Ellen will always be remembered as Grandma par excellence. She had forty years of joy in her grandchildren, and their children: Forty Christmases of wonder shared with babies she snuggled, toddlers she sang to, perfect gifts given–many handmade–for hundreds of delights, and homey feasts carefully planned, prepared and shared. She was blessed, and blessed us, the loved ones she leaves behind: One husband, Dan Ten Eyck, who was the beat of her heart. Four children and the spouses she also loved as her kids: Richard (Kim) Ten Eyck, Mark (Heather) Ten Eyck, Pattie (Dean) Waters, Tammy (Chuck) Whitlock. Eleven grandkids and their 10 spouses, 14 great grands – we are 44 people all told, to whom she poured out her love every one of her days. We will miss her.
A BBQ and Gathering of Quilts will be held to celebrate her life on August 23, 2025, at 4pm at Ten Eyck Ranch. Bring a side dish, a lawn chair, and a quilt by Ellen if you have one.