Ellen M. Arbet

Ellen M. Arbet, 88, of Ottawa, Illinois, died Thursday, March 22, 2012 at her home. A Celebration of Life for Ellen will be at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 26, 2012 at the Ottawa Funeral Home with Duane Kaufman officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Cremation rites were accorded. Ellen was born September 2, 1923 in Palo Alto County, Iowa to Edward D. and Mary J. (Mart) McNanna. She married Frank Joseph Arbet on May 15, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois. He died March 29, 1993. During WWII, she worked in Washington, D.C. and had tea with the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. She is survived by three sons, Richard (Jean) Arbet of Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, James (Debra) Arbet of Peru, and Dr. Tim (Lori) Arbet of Sherrard, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Laura Shackelford, Anna Maroun, Craig, Heather, Stephanie, Abby, and Eric Arbet; four great grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Bonnie Arbet. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her brother, Edward D. McNanna. Memorials may be directed to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date.