Walking On - Ellen Diane Fischer (Bean)

Ellen Diane Fischer (Bean)

Sept. 9, 1943 – Dec. 6, 2016

Tribal Elder Ellen Diane Fischer (Bean), 73, of Grand Ronde, Ore., passed away peacefully in her sleep, leaving a gaping hole in the hearts of all who loved her.

Ellen was born Sept. 9, 1943, in McMinnville, Ore., to Fremond and Lavern Bean. She grew up in Grand Ronde and Siletz, Ore. She graduated from Siletz High School in 1960. Ellen put the well-being of others before her own and touched many lives. 

Throughout her life Ellen lived in West Seattle, Wash., Fairbanks, Alaska, and the Oregon towns of Mapleton, Waldport, Lincoln City, Cottage Grove, Eugene, Salem and Grand Ronde.

She worked as a restaurant manager and jeweler before returning to school at Chemeketa Community College and becoming an educator. She worked for more than 25 years at Chemawa Indian Boarding School and at The Opportunity House in Sheridan, Ore. Upon retirement she was invited to join the Chemawa School Board. Providing mentorship and opportunities to students were among her most heartfelt accomplishments.

Ellen unselfishly gave her time and energy to her Tribe (Grand Ronde Roll No. 13). Early on before the Grand Ronde Restoration Act was signed into law in 1983, Ellen served on the first Tribal Health Board and, with the help of many other key figures, assisted in securing federal contract health benefits for members and descendants. Her service continued when she was appointed to serve on the Tribe’s Election Board and later the Food Bank Committee as chairwoman.

Her interests included creating hand drums, jewelry making and traveling. She especially enjoyed spending time with her husband, Leonard, in Maui and Whistler, Canada. She also liked entertaining and caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ellen enjoyed attending plays with family and girlfriends, as well as drives to the beach rain, wind or shine!   

Ellen shared the last 30 years of her life with her long lost love, Leonard Fischer of Grand Ronde, Ore. She is survived by her two sons, Keith and Kevin Campbell (Leslie) of Grand Ronde; daughter, Kimberly Campbell (Steve) of McMinnville, Ore; step-daughters, Stella Wescott (Scott) of Dallas, Ore., and Della Bork-Fischer (Mike) of Grand Ronde; her mother, Lavern Hosford-Bean of Grand Ronde; grandchildren, David (Kristin), Cynthia, Cameron (Brittany), Chala, Gary, Carl, Corrina, Elena, Brianna, Makayla, Madison, Aiden, Owen, Aubrey, Carter, Joseph (Angel) and Shawndra (Treveon); and great-grandchildren, Blake, Lainey and Aaliyah.

Ellen also is survived by her sisters, Donna Stronach (Merch), Linda Olson (Duke) and Joyce Kirk (Joe) of Grand Ronde, as well as numerous and cherished nieces, nephews, friends and cousins. Special friends dear to her include Dee, Myna, Pam, Claudia, Charlene and Sue, among many others. 

Ellen was preceded in death by her father, Fremond Bean of Grand Ronde, and brothers, Francis (Frank) Bean of Gates, Ore., and Thomas Bean of Grand Ronde, as well as her first husband, Roger Campbell of Eugene, Ore.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Adamson’s Funeral Home in Sheridan, Ore. A celebration of life is being held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9, in the Grand Ronde Tribal gym, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. at Greencrest Memorial Park, Southwest Balston Road, Sheridan Ore.   

A meal will follow the graveside service at the Grand Ronde Tribe’s Elders Activity Center, 48940 Blacktail Drive, Grand Ronde.