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Ella W. Labram, age 86, of Mendon, died on Sunday, Sep. 3, 2017 at Bronson Commons in Mattawan following a brief illness. She was born in Chicago on Jan. 6, 1931 the daughter of Henry J. and Nielsigne (Rassmussen) Jepsen. The family moved to Mendon in 1939, and Ella graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1948. She attended Ft. Wayne Business College and worked briefly at the Haas Corporation in Mendon. She was married to Ronald R. Labram on Sep. 11, 1955 at the West Mendon EUB Church. She was a homemaker, and for many years she worked at the First National Bank in Kalamazoo, and later at Three Rivers Savings and Loan. She finished her working career at H & R Block in both Kalamazoo and Three Rivers.
Ella was a member of the United Methodist Women’s Group and the West Mendon Widow’s Group. She was very active in the Mendon Alumni Association, and baked cookies for their gatherings as well as for the National Honor Society and the Mendon Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. She enjoyed working in her garden, canning produce, crocheting, and reading.
Ella is survived by five children, Cheryl (Sam) Serra of Battle Creek, Stephanie (Brooks) Gregory, Michelle (Matt Kauffman) Fambro, Kirsten (Paul) Russell, and Richard Labram all of Mendon; nine grandchildren, Bridgette (Bill) O’Connor, Colin Gregory, Zeke Gregory, Rachel Fambro, Lindsey (Cody) Fletcher, Sabrina (Jorden) Kegler, Christian Russell, Alexis (Chance Nightengale) Russell, and Garrett Russell; four great-grandchildren, Caroline Tindall, Killian Fletcher, Ronald Fletcher, William O’Connor, and one on the way; a sister, Birgette “Gitta” Springer; a brother, Clifford (Mary Lou) Jepsen; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Ron in 2012.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sep. 7, 2017 at the West Mendon Community Church, 22994 Portage Lake Rd., Mendon. Services will begin at 3 p.m. on Thursday at the church with Ray Doyle officiating. Burial will be in Dutton Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the West Mendon Community Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com
