Ellen Block

Ellen Block, 90 of Mesa, Arizona and formally of Marshalltown, passed away on Friday, June 16, 2017 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Memorial services for Ellen will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Memorials may be directed to the State of Arizona for the Blind. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Ellen and her family. Ellen Dunlap was born on July 1, 1926 in Ames, Iowa to George and Mildred Jack Dunlap. She received her Masters Degree from Iowa State University. On September 11, 1948, Ellen was united in marriage to William S. Block in Ames. Ellen had been an Economics Teacher at Marshalltown High School and later was the only woman high school counselor. She was a member of the P.E.O. as well as Marshalltown Assistance League. Ellen enjoyed playing golf (made a hole in one) and traveling all over the world with William. They especially enjoyed their trip all over Europe which included Italy, Norway and France. Ellen also enjoyed the time she was able to visit with her children and grandchildren. Ellen is survived by her husband of 68 years, William. Children: Deborah (Mark Mills) Block of Marshalltown, Sandra (David) Pogge of Condon, Montana and George (Cathy) Block of Highland Village, Texas. Grandchildren: Drew (Kimberly) Welp of Chapin, South Carolina, Sara (Dan) Reynolds of Waverly, Iowa, Ryan (Dani) Pogge of Berlin, Maryland, Jennifer (A.J.) Handy of Belgrade, Montana, Megan Block of Portland, Oregon, Natalie Block of Houston, Texas and Emily Block of Houston, Texas. She is also survived by great grandchildren: Hamp Welp, Ivy Pogge, Penelope Handy and Victoria Handy. Ellen is preceded in death by her parents George and Mildred as well as siblings Beverly Warner and Jack Dunlap.