Ellie Grace Sogard gave and received much love during her ten years on earth. Ellie was born
on April 14, 2010 in Denver, CO and passed away on July 2, 2020, in Tabernash, CO. She was
born early and sick and spent 61 days in the NICU fighting hard for her life every day. Though
Ellie had many health struggles, she had the sweetest disposition and smile that could light up
the world. Ellie passed away suddenly on a family vacation and was surrounded by her parents
and siblings.
Ellie was loved thoroughly and is survived by her parents, Matt and Abbie, her sister Kate (16),
brother Luke (14), brother Dan (12), and brother Caleb (2). Ellie is also survived by both
Grandpa and Grandma Sogard (Jim and Donna) and Papa and Grandma Brown (Jim and
Gretchen) as well as her aunts and uncles and 12 cousins (soon to be 13).
Ellie wasn’t able to talk, but if she could – and now she can – we think this is what she would
say…
“Caleb, please stop almost falling on me and dropping your toys on me. My favorite super hero
is Spider-man, but you always want to be him too! Thanks for making me smile.”
“Dan, thank you so much for taking care of me at school. I loved that you wanted to have me in
specials each day and that your friends were kind to me.”
“Luke, I loved how you always used to lay by me and hold my hand. You are a great big brother
and thanks for helping mom and dad take care of me.”
“Kate, you are the best sister! I loved that you would help Mom with my hair and clothes.
Thanks for loving me so much and being proud of me.”
“Mom, thanks for your millions of kisses. Thanks for sitting with me at all the games as we
cheered on my siblings and watched Dad coach. Thanks for your heart of service, truly a gift
from God, that allowed you to do the day-after-day food and medicine and changing and all of
the other mundane that was such an act of love. Also, I’m glad I don’t have to watch Twilight
again.”
“Dad, you made it so easy for me to believe in Our Father in Heaven. You took the most loving
care of me and always made sure I had what I needed. Thanks for being strong and carrying
me in so many different ways. Please be nice to Mom by being on time for the funeral.”
“Grandpas and Grandmas, Aunts and Uncles, thank you for reading to me and holding me and
making sure I knew I was special to you.”
“Cousins, I so wished I could have joined you guys in dodge ball, swimming, gaming and all the
fun you had together. I’ll get the games ready for us in heaven.”
“Teachers/paras, thanks you for loving me so well at school and making sure I was included and
loved by my classmates!”
“Friends, thank you for including me. Thanks for paying attention to me and talking to me even
when I couldn’t talk back.”
“Jesus, thank you for my life. Thank you for taking care of me here on Earth, but thank you even
more for giving me full healing here in heaven. You are a good, good Father. Please be with my family and friends and help them to know that You were anxiously awaiting my return. Thank you Jesus that you longed to see me and have brought me into your presence.”
Ellie will be missed tremendously and leaves a hole in our hearts for the rest of our lives, but we
take great comfort that she’s with Jesus in heaven with a healed body, a sharp mind, and a
joyful spirit.
A visitation to greet family and friends will be held at Christ Community Church 14200 Kenneth Road Leawood, Kansas 66224 on Tuesday July 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday July 8 at 10:00 am also at the church. Due to Covid19 guidelines, attendance on Wednesday morning will be limited to 120 attendees for the service. Masks are required. Registration is required for attendance and please use this link: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/1648/responses/new The funeral will also be streamed at https://christcommunitykc.org.
Memorial Contributions in honor Ellie can be directed to the CIRCLE OF HOPE NICU FOUNDATION Post Office Box 14301 Lenexa, Kansas 66285-4301, THE HOPE CENTER 2800 E. Linwood Blvd | Kansas City, MO 64128, and or EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF MISSOURI AND KANSAS 6400 Prospect Ave Suite 300 B, Kansas City, MO 64132
Our hearts go out to all of you. I have tears, yet again, reading the obituary. May you all find peace in the Faith of God’s wisdom for making Ellie an Angel.
Matt, Abbie and family – May your memories of sweet Ellie comfort you at this time. She is truly a special young lady and she is now your guardian angel watching over you all. We are sending you prayers, positive thoughts and love.
Jessica Salazar, Josh Collins and family
What a bright and shining star Ellie was. She will be missed but the joy and delight she brought to so many will always remain here and be remembered. I love you Sogard family!!
Ellie was so lucky in having the parents and siblings that God chose for her. I’m sorry for your loss.
Sogard family,
I hope that you all are able to find and remember the joy which Ellie brought to you and those around you. We know she is with her creator in Heaven watching over your family each day. I am sending my thoughts and prayers for you as I am unable to attend the visitation or service.
I am so sad for the Sogard family So sorry for all who were blessed to have known and had the pleasure to spend time with sweet Ellie. I am so glad she is free and can enjoy everything! I will sure miss not being able to tell her my life stories, I guess I still can,but will miss her beautiful smile. Have fun miss Ellie,see you again someday!
Dearest Sogard Family- What a blessing Ellie was to all who knew her. I will never forget watching Dan’s eyes light up when he talked about her or saw her in the hallway. My love and prayers go out to you and your family. I know you have the sweetest angel watching over all of you! With love, Carri Cline
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Matt, Abbie and family – our deepest condolences on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Marc and Cindy Belliveau
Condolences to you Matt and Abbie and family. Prayers for you during this difficult time.
Heaven definitely gained the sweetest Angel to watch over all of you. Your tribute brought me to tears. Sending thoughts, prayers and Peace.
Matt, Abbie and all of Ellie’s family – prayers from Bryan’s family.
Our thoughts and prayers go with you and your family. We have enjoyed getting to know all of you.
Sogard family, I’m sure you know there is an entire community that mourns with you at this time. Ellie had this fantastic way of making everyone who met her fall in love with her immediately! I feel like a piece of my heart is missing, and Ellie will forever hold that piece. How blessed she was to have a family who adored her for exactly who she was, and who gave her the best love and care anyone ever could. Thank you for letting me into your lives and allowing me to be part of Ellie’s. It is truly one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. Much love to each of you.
Matt, Abbie and family- Our hearts are broken for your loss. May Ellie’s memory live with you all until you meet her again in heaven. You are all in our prayers, God bless each and every one of you.
Sending prayers, hugs and love your way Sogard family! Ellie is dancing and singing in heaven and waiting for the day she can see you all again! Her legacy will live on when you laugh and tell stories about her! Her love for her family and friends will remain in your hearts till you see her again!
Lots of love coming from the Zehner family. We are thinking about you.
I’m so so sorry for your loss. I celebrate with you as you honor this lovely girl and her reuniting with Jesus! Thinking of you all and praying for your healing.
❤️
Dear Sogard Family- I’m so sorry for your loss. Ellie brought so much joy to all those around her. We’ll miss you Ellie, but we know you’ll be doing somersaults in heaven!
Sogard family,
Ellie was an absolute joy to all of us that had the opportunity to know her. I will forever cherish the memories of Ellie and the happiness that she created in every room she was in. She is rejoicing in Heaven and watching over her loved ones with a smile. My thoughts and prayers for your family’s comfort and healing.
Beautiful Sogard Family! You are in our prayers!
Love
Dede and Ken Chism
Denver
Dear Sogard family,
The Vannest family is thinking of you during these difficult times.
Be strong.
Love and prayers to you all. What a beautiful testament to her life and love around her! Lifting you in prayer.
The Wormington’s
What a beautiful testament to Ellie’s life and love surrounding her. Lifting you up in prayer-
To all of Ellie’s circle of blessed people. What an awesome God who orchestras all things. Thank you for all being a blessing to her and seeing Ellie’s purpose and love. Knowing Ellie’s mom and dad I take comfort knowing she was held closely to Gods loving, outstretched arms. What a fine gift taken care of so well. Giving thanks to God IN all things.Starting before ,during and sure to carry on for the future. John tells us There are many Mansion in heaven and Jesus goes to prepare a place for us. A place beyond our comprehension. What a gift Ellie is enjoying!
Thank you for being who you are and doing so well With the gift God has entrusted to us. Ellie’s legacy goes on..
I struggled to express how proud I am to know and be associated with such a strong circle for Ellie.
Gods continued richest blessings.
Rich Rains
We are so sorry for your loss. The love that you and your family share is inspiring and hopefully brings you comfort in your thoughts and memories of Ellie.
Gary and Nancy Blasberg
Abbie and family, you don’t know me, but I remember what a great athlete you were and enjoyed watching you play and compete. Praying God’s blessings over you and your beautiful family during this time of sadness. Ella is free and happy running into the arms of Jesus.
This is so, so beautiful. Made me cry for you all. Many prayers for your sweet family right now.
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. I believe God has a purpose for every person. Ellie has fulfilled
Her purpose and God has brought her home to start another journey.
We were so sad to hear of Ellie’s passing. She was blessed with such an amazing family. You are all in our prayers.
Beautiful obituary for a very loved little girl. Much love, support and prayers of peace for the family of this sweet angel. Fly High, Ellie.
My condolences go out to the Sogard Family. Praying for all of you during this unbelievably difficult time.
Kate Sogard
Sogard family,
Sending my condolences to your family during this unbelievably difficult time. I always liked seeing Ellie’s smile at BV girls basketball games last year. She lit up the room with her big smile.
A beautiful butterfly now free of its binding cocoon. Godspeed Ellie.