Ellen Mabel Jones

Ellen Mabel (Zwemer) Jones passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by family on 8/28/2025. Ellen was born December 15, 1927, in Powell, to Pearl and Boyd Jones. She was the only girl and youngest child. She had two brothers, Bill and Herb. She graduated from Powell High School in 1946. She married Chester Zwemer in December 1947. Life together, began outside of Warren, Montana. They had no electricity and no running water, but they did have some cattle and a few horses. Rocky was one of their favorites. When the second baby, Connie, was 2 months old, they bought the farm in Deaver. They raised 5 children together: Nancy Dea (Dea Dea), Connie Pearl, Zoe Ella, Daniel Boyd and Zan Kevin. Ellen worked very hard on their farm in Deaver. The first few years, they had a herd of cattle and later decided sheep were a better fit. Ellen made many of the clothes for her kids and insisted that they all learn to play the piano and learn to sing. She nurtured the kids’ music abilities to great heights and most of her grandkids are musically endowed as well. When the kids were in school, she also worked as the Postmaster in Deaver for a few years.

When the three girls had moved out, she decided to get a job in Powell, where she could be closer to her ageing Mother. She worked in the laundry at the Powell Hospital and became the manager very soon. She joined a bowling league and loved participating in that. She was an expert quilt maker and avid knitter as well, making many beautiful things for everyone she loved. She always had a huge vegetable garden on the farm, and beautiful flowers at each place she subsequently lived. She bought a house in Powell shortly after starting her job at the hospital.

Ellen was most known for her favorite colors of pink and baby blue. She displayed lots of pretty things on her walls. One of her favorite things was bird houses and chickens. She had quite a collection of them both. She liked to buy blingy jewelry and clothes, which sparked complements from people, everywhere she went. She was a very giving and generous Mother, Grandmother and friend.

Sometime, after Chester passed, in 2007, she reconnected with an old High School sweetheart, who had also lost his wife. They found they still had a connection, after 60 years. She married Milton Jones, from Lovell, at 80, and moved to his place in Pleasantville, California. They had many adventures together. When his health failed, Ellen’s kids helped bring her back to live in Billings. Milt passed in 2014. Ellen lived at Affinity Senior Living in Billings for several years and then moved to Sweetwater Retirement Community. The staff there absolutely adored her, particularly her sense of humor.

She was preceded in death by both parents, two husbands and one daughter, Nancy D Jensen. She is survived by her four remaining children, 11 grand-children, 25 great-grand- children and 3 great-great- grand-children. She was well loved and will be missed by all of the people that were lucky enough to have known her. While in Assisted Living, she especially enjoyed visits from some of her grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, who all loved her dearly. She was quick-witted and had an amazing memory, right up to the end of her life.

We are planning a Memorial in her honor on October 25, 2025 at the Powell Church of Christ at 2 PM. You can leave any memories to share on the Michelotti-Sawyer website.