Ellen Abar, age 55, of Denver; CO, passed away on Friday; Oct. 29, 2004, at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center in Wheatridge, CO, from natural causes.

There was no visitation or services as her remain were cremated. A family memorial service is being planned for spring.

Ellen Abart, daughter of Keith and Miriam Abart, was born on July 22, 1949, in 0'Neill. She was the second of eight children.

Ellen graduated in 1967 from St. Mary's High School in O'Neill. She attended UNL and Temple University in Philadelphia where she earned a bachelor's degree in urban studies and geography. She did graduate work at the American University in Washington, D.C. and earned a master's degree in civil engineering from UNL. She was employed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation at the Denver Federal Center.

Ellen was a member of the Society of Professional Engineers and also involved in many volunteer activities including The Denver Boys and Girls Clubs, The Denver Justice and Peace Committee, and the Water For People Project in El Porvenia, Nicaragua.

She was married to Allan T. Kestner in 1969 and they divorced in 1979. Ellen is survived by her daughter, Jean and her husband David Read of Duluth, GA; her mother, Miriam Abart of O'Neill; seven siblings and spouses, Susan and Robert Stranghoener of Norfolk; Kristie and David Rees of Burbank, CA, Robert and Mary Abart of Bartlett; TN, Frank and Karen Abart of Columbia, MO, James Abart and Timothy Abart, both of Lincoln, and Margaret and Dan Briles of Corydon, Idaho; an aunt, Katherine Timlin of Tulsa, OK; uncle, G. B. Abart of Clinton, MO; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father, Kieth Abart in 1997 and ex-, ,. husband, Allan in 1999.