Elise Lorraine Lorrie Janowiak-Ellerbee

Elise Lorraine Lorrie Janowiak-Ellerbee Forget? passed away December 17, 2007, in Rolla, Missouri. She was born April 15, 1927, to Timothy Andre Forget? and Louella Lavon Skeels Forget? in Wellston, Oklahoma. She married Leon John Janowiak on July 30, 1947, in Harrah, Oklahoma. Leon preceded her in death on December 31, 1984. They had six children, all raised in Harrah. Lorrie was a retired federal employee who always enjoyed keeping busy. She retired from Tinker Field Air Force Base in 1975. Lorrie along with her daughter Cyndi, owned and operated The Harrah News from 1976 through 1989. She was the star reporter for the newspaper contributing everything from hard-hitting news stories to human interest. She was the backbone of the News. She married Samuel Walter Ellerbee on January 1, 1998, in Colorado. They enjoyed traveling together and spending their winter months in south Texas. Sam passed away December 19, 2003. Lorrie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December of 1998, and remarkably she beat the disease. During the past nine years, Lorrie seized every opportunity to spend time with all of her children and grandchildren and she particularly enjoyed family reunions at Lake Tenkiller. Earlier this year, Lorrie moved from her home in Sapulpa, OK to Cuba, Missouri, to be near her oldest daughter and family. Lorrie was a very generous and giving person. Christmas was always her favorite time of the year. She made it her mission during the holidays to make sure that those who were less fortunate had at least a little something to look forward to. She now gets to spend Christmas with Our Lord. Lorrie is survived by her six children and eleven grandchildren: Catherine and Bill Lange of Cuba, MO, and their children, Courtney and husband Jason Mills and Chip Lange; Dr. James and Sandy Janowiak of Sapulpa, OK, and their children, Mathew Jones and Jared, Cary and Joe Janowiak; Cyndi and Rick Clark of Highlands Ranch, CO, and their daughter, Chrissy Clark; Jerry and Sandra Janowiak of Harrah, OK, and their children, Jeremy and Candice Janowiak; Cheryl and Stan Lucas of Langhorne, PA, and their son, Jason Lucas; and Connie and Mike Tanner of Highlands Ranch, CO, and their daughter, Cydney Tanner. Lorrie was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Charles Forget?. She is also survived by her brother, Timothy Forget? of Williamson, NY; and two sisters, Lora Benedix of Oklahoma City, OK and Esther Yunck of Santa Ynez, CA; along with many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Lorrie?s children, grandchildren, loved ones and friends will meet in Harrah, Oklahoma later this week to celebrate the life of this extraordinary woman. Visitation will take place at Smith-Parks Funeral Service, 2039 N. Tim Holt Dr., Harrah, OK, on Friday, December 21, 2007 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a Rosary Prayer at 7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, December 22, 2007 at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Harrah, OK. Interment will follow at St. Teresa Catholic Cemetery, Harrah, OK. Services are under the direction of Smith~Parks Funeral Service in Harrah, OK.