Ellen “Mae” Voss age 97 of Sibley, IA died Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at the Sibley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Sibley, IA.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 3rd from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley.
Private family graveside will be Thursday, December 4th at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley, IA. A celebration of Mae’s life will be held at a later date in April of 2015.
A complete obituary and online registry is available at: www.jurrensfuneralhome.com
Ellen Mae Voss was born September 19, 1917, the daughter of Harry and Sylvia (Bowen) Counsell and was raised on a farm near Little Rock, Iowa. She was one of four siblings. Her sisters, Maxine Rachuy of Baraboo, Wisconsin, Maesel Albertus of Rock Rapids, Iowa and her brother, James Counsell of Sibley, IA., all preceded her in death. After graduation from Little Rock High School, Mae moved to Sibley to work at J.C. Pennys. On April 12, 1936, she was married to Christie B. Voss, who preceded her in death in June, 2002. Together they raised four daughters. They are Peggy Day and husband, Barry of Sibley, Iowa, Linda Sheldon and husband Steve of Orlando, Florida, Miriam Plucker and husband Wade of Fredericksburg, Virginia and Madelyn Duarte of Arlington, Texas. During her lifetime, Mae was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly.
Mae and Christie were lifetime members of the First Baptist Church in Sibley, Iowa. They were also actively involved with many missionaries, both foreign and domestic, offering any support they could to further the efforts of those who had dedicated their lives to this ministry. They often opened their home and their cabin in northern Minnesota to visiting missionaries, and on several occasions traveled to mission fields to observe and assist in ongoing projects. The highlight of their travels was two weeks spent deep in the Amazon jungle in Brazil with their daughter, Linda and family, who are missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators.
Mae and Christie loved to travel and were able to visit all the US states including Alaska and Hawaii. They also spent many winters in their motor home in southern Texas, enjoying the company of many friends in that area
Mae radiated love, peace and joy throughout her lifetime. One of her greatest pleasures in life was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom loved and adored her. Entertaining family and friends brought much joy to both Mae and Christie throughout their married lives.
