Ella Conners
December 19, 1940 - January 10, 2026
Ella Louise Fowler was born on December 19, 1940, in High River, Alberta. Her earliest memories are of a curly-haired dog named Brownie, searching the barn for little kittens curled up in their nest of hay, and endlessly weeding the garden. This was an era when her father would feed with a team of horses; snow could be 10 feet deep, and their refrigerator was literally an ice box. Ella first attended Ridgeview School, a one-room schoolhouse near Gladys, Alberta. Ella was an excellent student who prided herself on her good grades. Music was her favourite subject, and by junior high, Ella was playing piano in church.
The family farmed at Aldersyde until Roy accepted a job as the first park warden of Dinosaur Provincial Park in 1958. As a result, Ella attended grade 12 in Duchess and soon met her future husband, Bill Conners. He asked her to dance at a social in Patricia, and the rest, as they say, is history. Ella attended Mount Royal College for a year before they were married on September 10, 1960. Bill had already opened the OK Tire store in Oyen, Alberta, so the couple quickly settled there. Virginia was born in 1961, Linda in 1963, and Jean in 1967. Together, Bill and Ella built their forever home: a cedar log house that Ella designed. After they moved into their new home in 1968, it became a place to host birthday parties, sleepovers, and family holidays. Ella stayed home with her girls until accepting a position as librarian at Oyen Public School in 1974, where she worked for 32 years, retiring in June 2006.
Ella liked nothing better than going on a campout or picnic. The girls recall riding in the camper, waving to oncoming cars from the top bunk. A talented artist, Ella loved painting scenes of the prairie or badlands. Inspiration came from flowers, trees, and old buildings. Her love of nature was intimately connected to her love of God.
Ella will be remembered for her sense of style, a big smile, and an infectious laugh. She was friendly, loved to visit, and would welcome anyone to her table. Ella was immensely proud of her three daughters, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She often told her girls they should be able to have tea with the queen or break bread with a pauper. Genuinely interested in other people's stories and strengths, Ella befriended without judgment.
Above all, Ella was a woman of great faith. She was an active member of the Oyen United Church, providing leadership in various groups, including the UCW, CGIT, Youth Club, and Sunday School. There are two key Christian commandments: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbour as yourself. Ella did both beautifully.
Ella passed away peacefully in Brooks, Alberta, at the age of 85. Ella was predeceased by her husband, William George Conners; her parents, Roy and Lauretta (Gehman) Fowler; and her brothers, Clare, Marvin, and Loris Fowler.
She leaves to mourn her daughter, Virginia (Doug) Corcoran; granddaughters Susan Corcoran and Jessica (Jerome) Biollo; great-grandchildren Annabelle, Hannah, Mattias, Luke, and Natalia Biollo; daughter Linda (Bob) Coutts; grandchildren Katie (Logan) Clifford and Duncan (Kaylee) Coutts; daughter Jean (John) Kimber; grandson Donny (Laura) Kimber; great-grandchildren Eevee and Flora Kimber; and grandson Shane (Shafiq) Kimber.
The funeral was held at the Oyen United Church on January 17, 2026, with Rev. Helen Reed officiating. Rev. Reed read the eulogy on behalf of Ella’s daughters, followed by a slideshow set to a recording of Ella’s piano music. Katie Clifford and Donny Kimber shared the grandchildren’s fond memories of Ella. As a tribute to her grandmother, Susan Corcoran read from the Gospel of John. Pianist Shirley Foot accompanied congregational hymns “Here I Am Lord” and “In the Garden.” Shane Kimber sang “Landslide” in honour of his grandmother. Ella’s six grandchildren served as honorary pallbearers. A recorded version of the service is available for viewing on the MacLean's Funeral Home website. A private family interment was held at the Oyen Cemetery prior to the ceremony.
Memorial tributes may be directed to the Oyen and District Healthcare Foundation, PO Box 1, Oyen, AB T0J 2J0 (in memo, please include “Hospital”), or the Acadia Foundation - Oyen Lodge, Bag 3000, Oyen, AB T0J 2J0 (in memo, please include “New Wing”)—MacLean’s Funeral Home in Oyen, in care of arrangements.