Ellen Eileen Wolterman

Ellen E. Wolterman, 75, of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at her home surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Church of Christ in Cherokee, Iowa. Pastor Gregg Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Cherokee, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home located at 207 E. Main Street in Cherokee, Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Ellen’s honor to Cherokee Regional Hospice in Cherokee, Iowa.

Ellen was born on December 10, 1950 to Orville and Shirley (Kramer) Chinn at Cherokee, Iowa. She graduated from Washington High School in 1969. She began working at a local daycare taking care of children, which lead to her opening her in-home daycare, where she cared for numerous local families. The children she took care of became part of her family and meant a great deal to her. She still kept in touch with those families even after her retirement in 2011.

She was united in marriage to Ron Wolterman on June 19, 1981, together they raised their four children, Shirlene, Cory, Jason, and Jennifer.

Ellen was a member of Crossroads Church in Cherokee, Iowa.

Ellen cherished every moment spent with her family. She loved tending to her garden, working on puzzles, reading, and playing cards and games with those she loved. An incredible listener, Ellen always seemed to have the right words of wisdom and the best advice to offer, no matter the situation.

She was a compassionate and generous woman with an undeniable strength and determination. Ellen and her husband, Ron, shared a truly special love. She was always by Ron and Cory’s side during their many projects, never hesitating to lend a hand—cleaning up, helping wherever needed, and proving she was never afraid of hard work.

Ellen also looked forward to her trips to Arizona, where she treasured time spent with her daughter, Shirlene, and her family. She enjoyed keeping up with current events and faithfully watched Fox News.

Above all, Ellen will be remembered for her loving heart, her resilience, and the deep devotion she had to her family and those she cared for.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville Chinn and Shirley Griffin, husband Ron in 2021, sister Sue Wright, brother-in-law David Wolterman, and mother-in-law and father-in-law Dorothy and Lawrence Tranter.

Ellen will be lovingly remembered by her children, Shirlene (Matt) Smearman of Phoenix, Arizona, Cory (Ann) Wolterman of Cherokee, Iowa, Jake (Jewel) Wolterman of Locust Grove, Virginia, and Jennifer (Brian) Wymer of Spirit Lake, Iowa; 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren with one more expected any day, Trent Sopeland, Logan (Nikki) Sopeland, Nick (Britt) Smearman and their daughter Amelia, Emma (Tony) Blades and their son, Breece with a daughter expected very soon, Caleb Wolterman (special friend Sarah), JT Mathews, Jacob Mathews, Tanner (Theresa) Ellefson and their daughter Loretta, Anna (Andrew) Ernstmeyer, Ruby Wymer and Nolan Wymer; brothers Bill (Gloria) Brady of Cherokee, Iowa, Larry(Louise) Chinn of Humboldt, Iowa, and Mike Chinn of Cherokee, Iowa; sister Kathy Chinn of Alta, Iowa; sister-in-law Alice Wolterman of Carroll, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, and a very special extended family, Chris and Michelle Horton and their children Chase, Tanner, and Emerson.