Ellen Watson

Emma Ellen Norgaard Watson was born on August 2nd, 1928. She passed away on September 12th, 2023 surround by family at the age of 95.

Ellen’s parents Peter and Christine Norgaard raised their family in Tyhee, Idaho. Ellen was the third of five children (Chris, Carl, Ellen, Anna and Marie). She attended Tyhee School, and graduated from Pocatello High School in 1946.

Ellen was fortunate to live a true love story. She met her sweetheart and forever dance partner as neighbors growning up in Tyhee and she married Tracey Watson on April 6th, 1946. They had 77 wonderful years and so many amazing adventures together. They raised 5 children Melvin, Trina, Claudia, Kate and Shaun.

Ellen was truly a caring, loving and talented woman. She had a knack for making everyone feel welcome and bringing everyone into the fold. Whether it was leading a group or cooking for an army, Ellen did everything with a calm demeanor. She was an amazing mother and wife, and later in life the best grandma and great grandma anyone could ask for. She loved babies and they loved her! When Ellen had a fussy baby or upset child, magic happened. Ellen was a Scout leader for Mel and Shaun and was a Bluebird and Campfire leader for Trina, Claudia, and Kate. She was always prepared with extra badges and beads so that no one went without.

Ellen had such an amazing voice. She sang at weddings and funerals and with several different groups including The Singing Mothers and the Silver Chords.

She and Tracey loved to sing to each other, sometimes real songs, but often silly little songs they made up for each other. When Ellen was getting ready for a ride Tracey would sing “a pair of boots and a red Kawasaki, she’s all dressed up for a ride” to the tune of A White Sport Coat and A Pink Carnation. Ellen became the “trail boss” in 1969 when the family started riding motorcycles. Many trails were discovered following Ellen around a wrong turn. Ellen and Tracey transitioned to 4 wheelers and then a side by side as they aged, but they never stopped! They spent winters in Bouse, AZ riding with the many, many friends they made and put over 10,000 miles on the 4 wheelers there. Ellen was still enjoying riding with family last summer.

Ellen and Tracey loved to dance and boy, were they good at it. When they got out to dance, everyone else would stop and watch. Tracey passed away in April this year, and we are all sure that they are waltzing all over Heaven right now. Ellen will be loved forever, and missed so much by her remaining 3 children and their spouses (Trina and Don, Kate and Craig, Shaun and Cindy) and her 13 grandchildren, 21 great grand children, 3 great great grand children and 1 great great great grandchild.

Ellen is preceded in death by adoring spouse Tracey, her loving parents Christine and Peter, her siblings, her children Mel and Claudia, her grandchildren Joey, Buddy and Jake, her great granddaughter Natavia, and many other family members and friends. Heaven is so lucky to have Ellen and so were we.

A viewing will be held on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023 at 1 pm at Colonial Chapel, 2005 S. 4th Ave. Pocatello, with graveside services at 2:30 pm at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 2864 S. 5th Ave. Pocatello.

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