Ellen Braden, age 79, of Gowen, went Home to be with the Lord late Saturday evening, June 25, 2016 from Spectrum Health-United Hospital in Greenville.  The daughter of Stanley Freeman & Edith Marie (Conklin) Gould, she was born on January 17, 1937 in Greenville.  Ellen grew up in Langston and graduated from the former Stanton Agricultural High School in 1955.  On September 6, 1957, in Belding, she married Claude A. Braden and together they enjoyed almost 59 years of marriage and raised two children.

Ellen worked for the Michigan Employment Security Commission for forty years and spent her business and personal time helping people.  For thirty-four years she was  also a caregiver for her son, Stan, who was paralyzed in a swimming accident at the age of 18.  Ellen was blessed with two church families…  Jubilee Worship Center of Sparta (formerly Victory Church), and Living Faith Family Church of Greenville.  She enjoyed cooking and baking, especially for large gatherings, and was always looking for good recipes.  She delighted in playing cards with friends, bowling, golf, crafting, and just about any activity she could share with other people.

She was preceded in death by her parents;  a son, Stanley Clinton Braden, on April 12, 2012;  brothers and sisters, Edgar Schermerhorn, Elwood Gould (her twin) and his wife, Karen Gould, Ernie Gould and his wife, Patricia Gould, Florence Christle and her husband, Duane Christle;  her step-mother, Mabel Gould;  a step-brother, Lee Shively; and a step-sister, Linda Jenks.  She also loved and lost Claude's mother, Eva Braden, and Claude's siblings, Archie Braden, Helen Levandowski, Lou Morrow, Vivian Braden, Bea Lillie, and Evelyn Baumgardner.

Surviving are her husband, Claude Braden of Gowen; their daughter, Emily & Leo McKenna of Belding; three beloved grandchildren, Molly & Scott Boyle of Amstersdam, The Netherlands, Kate Ellen McKenna of Chicago, and Caleb McKenna of Belding;  a step-brother, Dave & Jan Shively;  a step-sister, Diane Jurden;  a sister-in-law, Donna Schermerhorn;  two brothers-in-law, Franklin & Dorothy Braden of Gowen, and James Braden;  and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.

Ellen loved grandchildren dearly and always wanted to know the details of their lives…  they meant so much to her.  She was also interested in everyone she met and willing to help out wherever she could.  Ellen will be remembered as a generous and kind woman and will be missed by many people. 

Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday.  Ellen's pastor's, the Rev. Joan Skinner and the Rev. Lynda S. Dyke will officiate and burial will take place privately at Riverside Cemetery in Langston. 

Envelopes for memorial contributions to either the Jubilee Worship Center of Sparta or Living Faith Family Church of Greenville will be available at the funeral home. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Ellen's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.ChristiansenCares.com