Ellen Wallis 1943-2026

Ellen Kay Wallis, 83, Overbrook, passed away on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at the Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

She was born on June 21, 1943, in Holton, the daughter of Noel “Bill” Dickinson and Gene James.

Ellen grew up around Holton, graduating from Whiting High School in 1961. After college she moved to California and resided in Riverside, Calif., for a number of years. She returned to Kansas and lived near Overbrook since 1978.

Ellen taught PE and coached in California and then became a special education teacher, earning her master’s degree. Throughout her time she was a homemaker and as an accomplished pianist herself, she taught piano to many over the years.

On July 24, 1965, Ellen was united in marriage to Fonzell Wallis in Romoland, Calif. To this union three children were born, Sally, Ann and Samuel.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Fonzell, on May 10, 2008; by two of her children, Ann in 1994 and Sam in 2020; and by her parents, Bill and Gene.

Ellen is survived by her daughter, Sally Lane and husband Alex, of Derby; by her brother, Jerry Dickinson of Holton; by her sister, Edith Davey of Canandaigua, N.Y.; her three grandchildren, Mason Lane, Reilly Lane and Isabel Wallis; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Ellen will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 31, at the Feltner Funeral Chapel in Lyndon. Burial will be held in Mayetta Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30 at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions in memory of Ellen may be made to the College of Education-KSU, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Online condolences for the family may be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com

(PAID OBITUARY)