Ellen Colleen McMinn Bickmore
1915 ~ 2008
PARADISE, UTAH: Ellen Colleen McMinn Bickmore, a resident of John's Island, Florida, died peacefully in her sleep February 5, 2008.
llen was born February 28, 1915 in Cokeville, Wyoming, the only daughter of the late Elizabeth Norris McMinn and Albert Cecil McMinn.
Ellen and her brother, Robert Glen McMinn (deceased), grew up on the family's dairy farm in Pocatello, Idaho. An athlete, Ellen competed in rodeo events, was the captain and jumping center of a state championship girl's basketball team and, while a student at Idaho State University, Southern Branch, performed as a dancer at university events.
In 1939, Ellen married Lee S. Bickmore, a salesman for National Biscuit Company. Her husband of 47 years, the retired Chief Executive Officer of National Biscuit Company died June 7, 1986.
As an adult, Ellen continued her interest in athletics and learned ice skating, bowling and golf. After the death of her husband, Ellen became an accomplished ballroom dancer in her age group, competing regionally, nationally, and, on three occasions, internationally.
Ellen traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia and resided in Cokeville, Wyoming; Pocatello, Idaho; Salt Lake City, Utah; Brooklyn, New York; Newark, New Jersey; Short Hills, New Jersey; and Vero Beach, Florida. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Ellen was a member of Baltusrol and Canoe Brook Country Clubs in New Jersey, and the Vero Beach Country Club and the John's Island Club in Florida. In Vero Beach, she supported the Vero Beach Museum of Art, Riverside Theatre, the Humane Society of Vero Beach, among
others.
Ellen's only sibling, Robert Glen McMinn, preceded her in death. She will be lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Beverlee Ann Bickmore Kelly of Los Angeles; and Elizabeth Kay Bickmore Sonne of Salt Lake City; sons-in-law, James Peter Kelly and William Blake Sonne; grandchildren, Stephen Bickmore Sonne, Jennifer Kay Sonne Schult, Jared Dean Sonne, Lee Blake Sonne, and William Blake Sonne, Jr; and 21 great-grandchildren; and all her friends.
Funeral services will be held Sat. February 16th at 11 a.m. in the Paradise 4th Ward Chapel, 155 E. 9400 S. There will be a viewing Sat. from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church. Funeral arrangements by Allen-Hall Mortuary, Logan, Utah.
The family of Ellen Colleen McMinn Bickmore extends sincere appreciation to all who have kept Ellen and the family in their thoughts and prayers. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net