Ella Marie Colbert, 83, of Albany died Thursday at the Mennonite Home.

Ella was born in Ozark, Mo., to Henry Oliver and Nellie Lavina (Villers) Bewley. She grew up in Corvallis and graduated from High School there.

On Nov. 20, 1948, she married Arthur Columbia Colbert Jr. in Corvallis.

Ella worked for the Albany General Hospital for 23 years and then as a housemom for Alpha Chi Omega for 12 years. She was a member of the Tops club and Oak Street Church of Christ.

Ella is survived by daughter Jeana Colbert Chastain and husband Ken of McMinnville, sons David and wife Keli Colbert of Long Beach, Wash., and Steve and wife Kathleen Colbert of Eugene; daughter Sharon Sanders and husband Daniel of Albany; 27 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers Lester Bewley and wife Norma of Clovis, Calif., and Boyd Bewley and wife Marilyn of Albany; and sister Darlene Housing of Albany.

She was preceded in death by husband Arthur Cobert; sisters Nina Street, Edith Tuck and Ruby Olinger; and brothers George, Chester, Roy, Earl, John, and Loyd.

A viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept 20, at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home with a potluck to follow at the home of Sharon Sanders. Private burial will take place at Willamette Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions to a charity of your choice may be made in care of the funeral home.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements ( www.aasum-dufour.com ).