Ellen S. Emde, 59, passed away at 5 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2011, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

She was born on Oct. 27, 1951, in Alton, the daughter of Earl and Dolores (Martin) Mundell.

She married Harold Emde on March 21, 1970, in Alton. He survives.

Ellen was an Army wife and a Realtor; recently she worked for Henke Auction Service as an agent. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Alton. She enjoyed spending time in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, looking for wildlife (especially moose). She loved collecting vintage Christmas decorations, but most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Christian and Mary Emde of Alton, and Linzy Emde of Troy, Ill.; a foster daughter and her spouse, Becky and Jimmy Robbins of Fredricktown, Mo.; a foster daughter, Robbie Castile of Kansas City, Mo.; 12 grandchildren, Kara, Gabriele, Patrick, Adyson, Aydon, Crystal, Levi, Andrea, Justice, Justin, Josh and James; a sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Nelson Harris of Alton; a stepbrother and his wife, Tom and Jerry Honke of Alton; her stepmother, Dorothy Mundell of Jerseyville; her mother-in-law, Maria Emde of Alton; a niece and her spouse, Jill and Al Goeway of Alton; a nephew, Steve Harris of Alton; and several great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a stepbrother, Dennis Honke; and her father-in-law, Edward Emde.

A memorial service took place at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alton with Pastor William Veith officiating.

Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church.

An online condolence and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.