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Nathaniel Ward Ely was born December 30, 1948, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and died May 27, 2026, at his home in Madison, Wisconsin. Nathaniel, known as Tanny to his childhood and closest friends, was the son of John M. Ely, Jr. and Shirley (Polly) Mathews Ward Ely. He was an eleventh generation American, a descendant of Nathaniel Ely and Nathaniel Ward, who immigrated to America in the early 1600’s. He was a fifth generation of the Ely family of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which was among the founding families of Cedar Rapids in the 1840’s.
Tanny attended Arthur Elementary school, Franklin Junior High and was a graduate of Washington Senior High School; he took classes at the University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College. While in Junior High he became an active participant in progressive activities. During the Vietnam War he became a conscientious objector, performing alternate service as an orderly at St. Luke’s hospital.
He credited the Peoples Unitarian Universalist Church and his historical roots in Cedar Rapids as the foundation for what her valued most: Peace, Equality and Justice. He practiced his father’s lessons in frugality, saving money to donate to his favorite causes. And he lived his father’s philosophy of simplicity in all things.
Tanny moved from Cedar Rapids to Madison, Wisconsin, where he began his career at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals, where he eventually worked in every department. He brought a cheerful charm and professionalism to the patients he cared for and students he trained in those years. He loved life in Madison and enjoyed his hobby of TV DX-ing, receiving over the air television images broadcast from transmitters all over the country. He loved Blues Music, had a huge collection of his favorite artists and skillfully played the harmonica.
Tanny was a beloved son, brother, cousin and friend to many. He is survived by his brother, John M. Ely III (Connie) of Scotch Grove, Iowa and his sister, Martha Mathews Ely Goralka (Joe) of Antioch, California plus three nieces, two nephews and six great Nieces and nephews. His parents John M. Ely, Jr. and Polly Ely and a great nephew, Tim White, preceded him in death.
He will be missed.
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Dan Hampton
I knew Tanny and his family going back to our meeting at Arthur in 1954. When we lived on the NE side, the Ely home was about 500 yds. from our home. He grew up in the carriage house which was part of the Ely Mansion. This imposing home was built in front of First Avenue by his great grandfather, John Stoney Ely, in 1915. The mansion was torn down in a controlled fire in 1961 during our freshman year at Franklin. It had been abandoned in 1950 and it served as our haunted house on the NE side. The carriage house is still owned by Martha Mathews Ely, Tanny's older sister.
The Ely family name is a household name in CR, given their founding roots and political influence. Tanny's father, John Montague Ely, Jr., served in the State Assembly and was also elected as State Senator. He was responsible for the abolishment of the death penalty in Iowa. He also founded the Iowa Civil Rights Commisssion and the Iowa Fair Housing Act.
Tanny was a quiet, relective person who carried on the Ely penchant for helping others and supporting liberal causes. We had many good times together at Arthur and I remember, distinctly, building a series of tunnels adjacent to the carriage house with Tanny and his brother, John.
Over the past twenty years or so, we would talk at least once a year, primarily about his family history. We would meet up at his parents' home when I came to CR. I have fond memories of Tanny and his nonchalant way of approaching issues. He never seemed to get upset over anything.
Chrys Garnant
Thank you, Tanny, for a life well lived, a spirit well realized. We shared so many discussions on ethics and humanity at Peoples over all of those years we were growing up and in the Youth group there.
Part of Tanny's humanity definitely came from his family, and he shared it liberally. His Dad was the sponsor and runner for the legislation that stopped capital punishment in Iowa. That is part where he came from.
It was always a wonderful miracle to see - Tanny not "spilling the beans" at the Church Xmas party for all of the children, when his Dad, short and thin, would burst in the door in a white trimmed red costume, with a ho ho ho and a bag of gifts as large as he was.
Thank you.
Michael Maas
I Met Tanny as well at good old Arthur School. Great guy to everyone. I knew his parents, John and Poly, very well and used to have many conversations with John about CR History. I found out the the trolly from Mt Vernon passed right in front of the house I have lived in for 35 years on Blake Blvd. I never got to know his sister, Martha, but coming from that group of great people, she has to be wonderful. Their family was always generous with their time and resources and we were on the same political page... I miss them all. Condolences to all the family for Tanny's passing.
Patricia "Patty" Smith (Baer)
I too got to know Tanny going at Arthur School. Although I never knew him well, I recall him as being kind,, thoughtful and caring. It appears he lived his life well in caring for others. My condolences to his family and close friends.