Ova Ebendorf, 96 of Akron, passed away on May 24, 2017 at the Akron Greenhouse Homes. Ova Kelsey was born in Missouri to Fred and Ruby Ebendorf on March 25, 1921. He was the first of four children.
On December 8, 1945 he married Mary Doris Greer in Hugo, Colorado. They were married for 67 years. Mary and Ova had three children: Gary Kelsey, Margie Lynn (deceased), and Valerie Jean.
A favorite time for family members was to help out at branding time. Ovie always ran the hot irons. Each family member had a designated duty to make the event go smoothly.
Ova has resided in Missouri, Denver, Littleton, Limon, Lindon, Woodrow, Brush, Last Chance and Akron. Throughout his life he was always an active rancher and farmer. Ova enjoyed an early morning cup of coffee, two over easy eggs, two bacon and a piece of toast for years. He was always rising early in the morning to feed the cattle and working into the late evenings after the sun had set. He worked for Duboc in Littleton, Thoma in Lindon, Alfred Ward Ranch and owned his own Buck Creek Ranch from 1974 – 2006, when he bought a 13 acres retirement ranchette southwest of Akron. He always had comparisons and stories about the Great Depression. From those experiences and memories, his shop and buildings were filled with items salvaged off of trucks, tractors, cars, and farm equipment. He would purchase vehicles and farm equipment from local sales. Invariably, he would a have a part or something that could be adapted to make the "new" purchase work and run like new.
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, and brother Owen, and sister Lucille.
He is survived by his son Gary and daughter Valerie; sister Iola Ebendorf; two grandchildren, Slade and Brittney; and 7 great-grandchildren: Ryan, Cole, Alex, Nolan, Bryce, Titus, and LiLeigh.
Both Mary and Ovie wanted a very modest funeral. Their ashes will be placed at Abbott Cemetery in midsummer.