Ellen Kay Bringas

Ellen Kay Bringas, daughter of the late Robert W. and Katherine J. (Bode) Knotts, was born September 3, 1941, in Des Moines, Iowa. She left this life to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 17, 2026, in Seymour, Missouri, at the age of 84.

Ellen cherished her role as a homemaker. She found great joy in cooking, sewing, and creating a warm, welcoming home for her family. Living in the country had always been her dream and she embraced farm life wholeheartedly. She had a deep love for animals and treasured the simple blessings or rural living.

Throughout her life, Ellen was blessed by many small church families whom she loved dearly and supported faithfully. Her faith was central to who she was. She lived each day with gratitude to the Lord.

Some of Ellen’s most treasured memories were summertime camping and fishing trips with her family by the ocean, lakes, and rivers where laughter, togetherness, and giving thanks to God were abundant. She especially cherished a memorable family adventure to 100 Mile House, Canada, with Bob and Margie Knotts and all the children - a trip filled with joy and lasting memories.

In June of 1971, Ellen and her family left Oregon to begin a new chapter in Missouri. The journey, fondly known as “Missouri or Bust,” became a three-week adventure departing from the Portland area, with a special stop at Disneyland along the way. The caravan included Dale, Ellen, Dalene, Drace, D’Van, Bob, Margie, Robbie, Tonya, Shirlene, and Kristie. Traveling together in a moving truck, a Chevy station wagon pulling a trailer, and a Suburban with a travel trailer, the trip became a treasured family story for years to come.

Besides her parents, Ellen was preceded in death by son-in-law, Alton Ross.

Ellen is survived by her husband, Lionel Bringas; her children, Dalene Ross, Drace Feston and wife, Lisa, and D’Van Feston and wife, Sandy; her grandchildren, Rachel Feston, Rebecca Feston, Jacob Feston, Gina and Tyler Snyder, and KaLynn and Josh Verdun; her great-grandchildren, William and Mary Verdun, and James and John Snyder; and one sister, Janet Zobrist and husband, Phil.

Ellen was a loving mother and grandmother. Her legacy of faith, family, and simple joys of life, will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Psalm 113:3 ~ From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord’s name is to be praised.