Ellen E. Wolterman, 75, of Cherokee passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at her home surrounded by her family.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 21, at 10:30 a.m. at First Church of Christ in Cherokee. Pastor Gregg Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery at Cherokee. Visitation with the family present will be held on Friday, March 20, from 5-7 p.m. at Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Ellen's honor to Cherokee Regional Hospice.
Ellen was born on Dec. 10, 1950, to Orville and Shirley (Kramer) Chinn at Cherokee. She graduated from Washington High School in 1969. She began working at a local daycare taking care of children, which led to her opening her in-home daycare, where she cared for numerous local families. The children she took care of became part of her family and meant a great deal to her. She still kept in touch with those families even after her retirement in 2011.
She was united in marriage to Ron Wolterman on June 19, 1981. Together they raised their four children: Shirlene, Cory, Jason and Jennifer.
Ellen was a member of Crossroads Church in Cherokee.
Ellen cherished every moment spent with her family. She loved tending to her garden, working on puzzles, reading and playing cards and games with those she loved. An incredible listener, Ellen always seemed to have the right words of wisdom and the best advice to offer, no matter the situation.
She was a compassionate and generous woman with an undeniable strength and determination. Ellen and her husband Ron shared a truly special love. She was always by Ron and Cory's side during their many projects, never hesitating to lend a hand — cleaning up, helping wherever needed and proving she was never afraid of hard work.
Ellen also looked forward to her trips to Arizona, where she treasured time spent with her daughter, Shirlene, and her family. She enjoyed keeping up with current events and faithfully watched Fox News.
Above all, Ellen will be remembered for her loving heart, her resilience and the deep devotion she had to her family and those she cared for.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville Chinn and Shirley Griffin; husband Ron in 2021; sister Sue Wright; brother-in-law David Wolterman; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dorothy and Lawrence Tranter.
Ellen will be lovingly remembered by her children: Shirlene (Matt) Smearman of Phoenix, Ariz.; Cory (Ann) Wolterman of Cherokee; Jake (Jewel) Wolterman of Locust Grove, Va.; and Jennifer (Brian) Wymer of Spirit Lake; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren with one more expected any day: Trent Sopeland, Logan (Nikki) Sopeland, Nick (Britt) Sopeland and their daughter Amelia, Emma (Tony) Blades and their son, Breece with a daughter expected very soon, Caleb Wolterman (special friend Sarah), JT Mathews, Jacob Mathews, Tanner (Theresa) Ellefson and their daughter Loretta, Anna (Andrew) Ernstmeyer Ruby Wymer and Nolan Wymer; brothers: Bill (Gloria) Brady of Cherokee; Larry (Louise) Chinn of Humboldt; and Mike Chinn of Cherokee; sister Kathy Chinn of Alta; sister-in-law Alice Wolterman of Carroll; many nieces, nephews and a very special extended family, Chris and Michelle Horton, and their children Chase, Tanner and Emerson.
