Irene Margaret Ellison

Irene Margaret Ellison, 89 year-old long time Big Springs resident, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the Madrone Hospice House in Yreka following a short illness. Irene was born October 3, 1927 in Los Angeles to Edward and Lockie Meehan. The family moved to Siskiyou County when Irene was a child and she grew up in Mt. Shasta, graduating from Mt. Shasta High School. As a teenager, Irene worked at the moving theater in Mt. Shasta. On June 11, 1946 she married the love of her life, David A. Ellison, in Reno, Nevada. They lived and worked at the Stones Dairy near Weed. They later made their home in Weed, where Dave worked for Long Bell Logging as a logger and later in their machine shop. In 1950, Dave and Irene moved to a wooden cabin in Big Springs. Dave had purchased the land at a dollar an acre and dreamed of starting a ranch. He and Irene lived in the tiny cabin while Dave worked to clear the land to prepare it for livestock and farming. He drilled a well that brought electricity all the way to Rat Camp. In 1954, he made the desert bloom with his crops and cattle. By 1959, Dave and Irene had built their dream home on the ranch where she lived the rest of her life. She enjoyed being a rancher’s wife and the hard work that came along with it. The couple also enjoyed square dancing. On August 6, 1951 Dave and Irene welcomed their only child, Sherri Kaye. Dave preceded Irene in death on December 24, 2012. Irene is survived by her daughter, Sherri of Big Springs; six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, Shannon Spencer and her husband John of Montague and their children Haelee, Alexis and Laney; David Dunlap and his wife Amy of Yreka and their children Derek, Dylan, Frances and Lola; Tana Barber and her husband Damen of Little Shasta and their children Blair, Kylee and Ellie; Eli Walters, Garret Walters and Seth Walters, all of Big Springs. She is also survived by her brother, Bob Meehan. Irene was preceded in death by her grandson, Levi Walters and her brother, Pat Meehan, in August of last year. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Girdner Funeral Chapel in Yreka with a reception to follow at the Montague Rotary room at the Montague Community Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097.

Irene Margaret Ellison

October 3, 1927 - January 18, 2017