Ellen Marie Jiskra was born 12-10-1943 in Seward, NE Hospital and died 05-07-2019 in Kansas City, MO at Armour Oaks surrounded by her loving family.

Her parents were Edward A. Hladky and Theresa M. Kunašek and they lived on a farm near Bee, NE. Ellen attended a one-room country school until the 8th grade before going to Seward High School for three years. She then graduated Valedictorian in the first senior class of Aquinas High School in David City, NE.

Ellen attended St. Mary’s College in Omaha, NE for one year then went to work for the federal government for one year. Ellen then attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln graduating with a French Education Major and was President of Delta Zeta Sorority her senior year.

Ellen was married to Larry Jiskra on August 13, 1967 at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church by Rev. Raymond Hain. Ellen and Larry lived in Lincoln, NE for one year where she taught French at Pius X Catholic High School. They moved to Overland Park, KS in 1968 where Ellen taught French at Hocker Grove Junior High for one year, then the first three years Shawnee Mission Northwest High School opened. Ellen then attended the Paris-Sorbonne University in Paris, France and received her Masters through Central College of Pella, IA. Upon returning to the Shawnee Mission School District, Ellen taught French at Indian Creek Junior High for three years then transferred to Shawnee Mission South High School in 1976 to teach French, retiring in 2003.

While teaching at Shawnee Mission South, Ellen returned to Paris, France to earn her Elementary Certification which enabled her to start a French Summer Enrichment Program for Elementary Students. Ellen also developed a foreign exchange program with an English teacher counterpart and long-time friend, Jacqueline Quinart, in Paris, France which allowed for multiple decades of students to enjoy the experience of cultural enrichment of another country. Furthermore, Ellen participated in the American Foreign Language Teacher’s Association and Teacher Mentoring and Training.

Ellen was blessed with two sons, Brandon L. Jiskra on July 2, 1979 and Jason E. Jiskra on April 221982. In the mid-90’s, Ellen was diagnosed with a malignant cancer that had a very small survival rate. She persevered thru this disease with some lasting side effects.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents: Ed and Theresa Hladky; sisters: Betty Tvrdy and JoAnn Hladky; nephew: Steve; niece: Rebecca. She is survived by her husband Larry, sons Brandon (Brooke) and Jason (Alycia), brothers Ray (Millie) Hladky and Ed (Marilyn) Hladky, brother-in-law Gene Tvrdy, grandchildren: Logan, Jade, London, and Fheyan, 17 nieces, and 3 nephews.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on May 11th at 1:30pm at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 8311 W 93rd St. OPKS.

She will be missed and remembered by her many friends and family.

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