Eleanor “Ellie” (Bailey) Masten was born June 11, 1944, in Los Angeles, Ca. She was the fourth child of Henry Arthur and Ruth Violet Bailey. After coming to Missouri her mother Ruth married Tom Reynolds and was then joined by two more siblings.
While moving to Missouri as a young girl, Ellie enjoyed the outdoors. She loved helping around the farm with all the animals and with her siblings. Attending Osceola schools, she made many friends. She attended until her senior year where she was an angel in the school Christmas program. Even though not finishing, she proudly continued her studies, receiving her GED. Her classmates were very loved by her.
Ellie met her husband Dale Masten by going on a blind date with a classmate’s older brother and they were married December 17, 1961. To this union 4 children were born….Daleen, Jeanie, Justin, and Ernesta (Ernie). Her children were the light of her life, and she lived that life to the fullest. Eleanor was an avid hunter and fisherman with long time friend Jerry Lewis. She often attended church with her children as well as being a 4-H leader for years while her children participated. She was active in her community even working as the deputy tax collector for 8 years.
As for her other loves in life, her animals. It could be said that she had quite a zoo. From horses, cows, and dogs to chickens, hogs and…… Famously known for her screaming peacocks. Also known as the country vet, delivering many country animals babies. But one would have to say horses were a close second behind her children. She loved riding and showing. She could run one Hell of a good barrel race on her gelding “Sin”. She was also known by many to ride one heck of a scoop shovel race.
Ellie was a very hard worker her whole life. She had a heart of gold and would give you the shirt right off her back. She loved hard and true. She was the most amazingly loving mother and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by all three parents, older sisters Mary Alice Hammond, Patsy Ann Bailey, Betty Joann Burrow, Joyce Dantes; younger brother Tony Reynolds; nephews Jeff Hammond and David Hawkins, and her beautifully beloved granddaughter Tori JaNae Helm and grandson Jeremiah.
Ellie leaves behind sister Pam Dutcher; her four children, Daleen and Rusty, Jeanie and Tike, Justin, and Tina, Ernesta (Ernie) and Lonny; grandchildren Joshua and Destany, Cassidy and Dennis, Madison, Micheal, Zac, Lacey and Justin, Tyler, Samantha, Tucker, Bevan, Cory and Elizabeth, Jake and Katie; great grandchildren Sebastion, Camille, Caz, Evy, Pyper, Laika, and Colton as well as many nieces and nephews, including Paisley Jo, Waylon and baby Georgia and many friends.
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