Ellen Marie Price, Salina, died March 24, 2022, one day before her 93rd birthday.

Ellen was born in Xenia, Kansas, on March 25, 1929, to Dale and Mary Jane (Janie) Delavan. She graduated from Blue Mound High School, taught one year in a one room schoolhouse and then went to Kansas City Bible College as part of her preparation to become a missionary. Her studies included going to the University of Oklahoma for linguistics; while there, she helped develop a dictionary of the Cherokee language. From there, she went to Switzerland to live with a family and immerse herself in the French language. While she was becoming fluent in French, she was also studying the Bambara language to prepare for her missionary work near what is presently Bambako in Mali, west Africa.

She spent five years as a missionary, gathering a lifetime of stories and making lifelong friends. While living in the “bush” with the Bambara people, she contracted malaria and was forced to return to the states for treatment.

While recovering, Ellen met her lifelong love, James Price. They were married within 6 months and had 62 wonderful years together.

She was always active in her children’s schools including many years as PTA president. She became an Avon Representative (41 years) so she could create her own hours and volunteered at the Little House to assist new immigrants preparing for citizenship. Ellen was very active in her church, Sunrise Presbyterian, for the 50 years she was a member.

She was a life-long sports fan and thoroughly enjoyed listening to and watching the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas State football, and Kansas University basketball.

She and her husband James were also active members of the Disabled American Veterans organization at city, state, and national level. They volunteered thousands of hours supporting the organization.

Jim and Ellen had six children: Myron (deceased) and his wife Geralyn of Salina, Kansas; Elton Price and his wife Kathern (Kay), Colorado Springs, Colorado; Ina Olsson and her husband David, Centennial, Colorado; John Price and his wife Mink, Fayetteville, North Carolina; Lori Price, Leavenworth, Kansas; and Anita St. Pe’ and her husband Todd, Anna, Texas. Ellen is survived by 12 grandchildren; Eileen and Jade Price; Hailey Rosa Enderle (Justin); Jason Price, Kristin and Anders Olsson; Zoe, John, Halley, and Jack Price; and Charles and Madeleine St. Pe’.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Elton and her son, Myron Dale Price.

Funeral services will be held at 11am, Friday, April 1, 2022, at Sunrise Presbyterian Church (825 E. Beloit, Salina, Kansas 67401).

Visitation will be Thursday, March 31, 2022, from 2-6 pm at Roselawn Memorial Park. Family will receive visitors from 4-6 pm.

Memorial gifts may be made to Sunrise Presbyterian Church and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.