Kenneth Eugene Ellis passed away January 7, 2011 at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center in Wheatridge, CO after complications arising from chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was 53 years of age. Kenneth (Kenny) was born October 20, 1957 in Phillipsburg, Kansas - the son of Harold and Rachel (Marple) Ellis.

Kenny grew up in rural Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado. He graduated from Farnam High School in Nebraska in 1975.

In October of 1978, Kenny married Renee Randolph, and to this union two daughters, Tonya and Jessica, were born. He later married Susan Craig on February 6, 1999, and they spent many happy years together until her death in April of 2009.

Kenny was a truck driver “over the road” for many years and enjoyed his occupation as it allowed him to explore the country and meet many interesting people. Eventually he set roots in Denver, Colorado and took a job with more local driving routes. Most recently, he worked at Mile Hi Foods. In 2007 Kenny won the Rookie of the Year Truck Driving Championship of the Colorado Motor Carrier Association. He was very proud of this accomplishment and his company considered him to be a treasured employee.

Kenny greatly enjoyed golfing with friends in his leisure time, as well as working on home improvement projects. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his mother, Rachel Ellis, and grandmother, Mildred Marple, of Phillipsburg; two daughters, Jessica Beach and husband Phillip of Salina, Kansas and Tonya Beach of Lawrence, Kansas; four grandchildren, Paige, Peyton, Liam, and Alayna; siblings Rhonda Joneson and Kathy Ellis of Lincoln, Nebraska; Mike Ellis and wife Tami of Hutchinson, Kansas; Bonnie Daigh and husband Matt of Eudora, Kansas; Paul Ellis and wife Kim of Meridian, Idaho. Kenny was preceded in death by wife Susan Ellis of Denver, Colorado and father Reverend Harold Ellis of Phillipsburg, Kansas.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 15, 2011 in the Olliff Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg, with Matt Lucas officiating. A private inurnment service will take place prior to the service in the Kirwin Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and/or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 14 Jan 2011.

Kenneth E. Ellis, 53, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, Wheat Ridge, Colo.

He was born Oct. 20, 1957, to Harold and Rachel (Marple) Ellis.

He was a truck driver for Mile Hi Delivery, Denver.

Survivors include two daughters, Tonya Beach, Lawrence, and Jessica Beach, Salina; his mother, Phillipsburg; two brothers, Mike, Hutchinson, and Paul, Meridian, Idaho; three sisters, Rhonda Joneson and Kathy Ellis, Lincoln, Neb., and Bonnie Daigh, Eudora; his grandmother, Mildred Marple, Phillipsburg; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan, and father.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Oliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society or Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in care of the funeral home.

Condoelnces can be sent to the family at www.olliffboeve.com.

The Hays Daily News, 12 Jan 2011.