Rose Ellison (Bruening) Ellison

At 96 years of age, Mrs. Rose Augusta Ellison entered into Heaven peacefully on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at her residence in Oak Park, where she had live for the past six months. Before moving to Oak Park, Rose lived for twelve years in Linus Oakes. Rose was born March 9, 1917 in Polar, Wisconsin to Otto Bruening and Martha Rusch-Bruening. Rose attended school in Polar, where she lived until she married Eugene O'Brien in 1936. The O'Brien's lived in Bryant, Wisconsin where they were involved in farming and where their three children, Mary Jane, Jerry and Jimmy were born. The family moved to Roseburg in 1947 where Eugene was employed in logging. When Gene was killed in a logging accident in 1954, Rose was employed in the Roseburg Lumber Plywood Mill in Dillard. She went to work in 1957 at Ellison Transportation as a school bus operator. Luther Ellison, her boss, married Rose in 1961 and together they continued to operate school busses for the Roseburg and Winston/Dillard schools. The Ellison's became owner/operators of Ellison's Stockade Motel in Winchester Bay. In 1961 Rose gained her pilot's license and flew for both business and pleasure through the mid-70s. Rose enjoyed membership in the Ninety Niners ladies flying club. She flew her planes up and down the west coast from Canada to Arizona. Her flying skill was valuable to both businesses when she flew equipment, personnel, and supplies as needed. After flying briefly in a glider and a few helicopter lessons, she decided that neither was for her. In her younger years, Rose did much sewing and baking for her family- no store-bought bread in her pantry. She was accomplished in hobbies-pictures from yarn and jewelry, needle point, and tole painting. Some of her favorite experiences were flying in the Goodyear blimp, and flying in the British Concord SST. She enjoyed a flight in a hot air balloon for her 90th birthday. Luther and Rose enjoyed many international trips together- Europe, Panama, Canada and all across the United States. Rose was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Rainbow Circle, Ninety Niners, Daughters of the Nile and the NOMADS RV travel club. Rose was preceded in death by husband Eugene O'Brien; son Jimmy O'Brien; husband Luther Ellison and daughter-in-law Karin O'Brien. Those who will miss her are son Jerry O'Brien; daughter Mary Jane Howe (Charley); step-son Jim Ellison (Donna); step-daughter Muriel Butler (Larry); grandchildren Gene O'Brien, Jeanne Hayes (Matt), Michael O'Brien (Brandy), Dennis Cook (Mary) and Duane Cook (Cindy); six step-grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren; brother-in-law Pat O'Brien (Kate); sister-in-law Marian Corley (Dan); several nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends. The Reverend Scott Harkness will officiate at a graveside service at Roseburg Memorial Gardens on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 1:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Community Room at Linus Oakes on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 11:00 AM. Rose had two passions - giving the Holy Bible and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Contributions in her honor may be given to: The Gideons International, P.O.Box 27, Roseburg, Oregon 97470 or to Guide Dogs for the Blind, 32901 SE Kelso Rd, Boring, Oregon 97009.