She was born May 28, 1914, in Chapin, Teton County, Idaho, the second of eleven children born to James Clarence Nelson and Viola Agnes Thompson Nelson. She lived in Marysville, Idaho, for a short time but spent most of her life in Driggs. She graduated from Teton High School in 1932. While playing the trumpet in the high school band, she discovered another trumpet player, Robert E. Griggs, who became the love of her life.

During the depression, Robert went to work in Lakeview, Oregon, in his uncle's grocery store. Ella traveled to Lakeview and married Robert the day she arrived, September 7, 1935. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on Aug. 13, 1952. After five years in Oregon, they decided to move back home to Driggs, bringing their baby daughter, Sue, with them. During her years in Driggs, five other children were born.

Ella always worked hard helping Robert on the farm. She supplemented their income as a bookkeeper by working for Nelson-Ricks Creamery, Robert Bean Funeral Home, and other small businesses in the area. Each week she would cook for the Rotary Club. Her last job was Deputy City Clerk for the City of Driggs.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and among the callings she enjoyed were working in the Primary and being a visiting teacher until she was 90 years old.

She belonged to a ladies club, "So-Chat" Club, a group of special friends. She spent many happy hours with her siblings as they were a very important part of her social life. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, reading, socializing, and playing card games. She had a sense of humor and was a practical joker.

She was a joy to be around with her "quick wit", positive attitude, and her concern for others. Her home was always open. She would feed the young and old from far and near with few resources even at a moment's notice.

She is survived by the following: daughters: Sue (Clyde) Gillespie of Rigby and Jan (Bill) Torngren of Iona; sons: Jim (Sheila) Griggs and Jeff (Terri) Griggs both of Sugar City; Neil (Ginny) Griggs of Ammon; and Don (Belinda) Griggs of Teton; sisters: Phyllis Humphrey and Helen Kunz both of Idaho Falls; and Bonnie (Leo) Jensen of Arco; brothers: Guy (Valone) Nelson of Idaho Falls; Rex (Sharon) Nelson of Driggs; Arlo (Karen) Nelson of Farmington, UT; sister-in-law, Esther Nelson of Idaho Falls and brother-in-law, Ray Griggs of Livermore, California; 21 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, May 25, 1990; an infant brother, Harold Nelson and brother, Wells Nelson; sisters: Nola Christensen and Leona Grover.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 1, 2009, at the Driggs LDS Stake Center, 211 N. 100 E. Driggs, with Bishop Roy Moulton officiating. The family will visit with friends Friday evening, July 31, 2009, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St., Idaho Falls, and in Driggs at the church Saturday one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in the Driggs Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com