Ella Marie Sides Ward

February 8, 1934 - October 2, 2017

Posted

Ella Marie Sides Ward was born February 8, 1934, the oldest of 5 daughters to Scott Sides and Ester Ella Townsend, in Niobrara County, Lusk, Wyoming.

Ella prefers to be called by her middle name, Marie. Marie attended a local grade then stayed with her grandmother and grandfather Townsend to attend high school. She graduated in 1952 from Niobrara County High School.

She was raised on a ranch about 15 miles north of Lance Creek. In 1953, she married Grant Robert Ward who lived about 6 miles farther north. They raised 5 children together and enjoyed many wonderful years ranching. 

In the 70’s they began looking for more religion than the local community Sunday School offered and they started commuting to Wheatland for church.

In 1995 the Ward family sold the ranch and Grant and Marie bought 20 acres in Wheatland.

Grant passed away in January 2001. Marie continued to live in Wheatland until 2007 and then moved to Lovell to live with her oldest daughter, Ruth, and her family.

She is preceded in death by her husband Grant, parents Scott Sides and Ester Ella Selby, sisters Bonnie Heth and Evelyn Sides, grandson Joseph Ward, and granddaughter Hope Walker.

Marie is survived by her sisters, Carrie Jean Prell of Douglas, WY and Norma (Dave) Andre of Williston, North Dakota; children, W. Scott Ward of Whitehall, New York, Ruth (Glen) Howe of Lovell, WY, Lydia Lefforge of Casper, WY, George Ward of Cody, WY, and Earlene Ward of Colorado Springs, CO; 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. 

Funeral Services will be held at Haskell Funeral Home on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Graveside Services will be held Saturday, October 7, 2017 at the Manville Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.haskellfuneralhome.com.