Obituary of Ellen Louise Kourtsis

Ellen Louise Kourtsis, 85, of Star City passed away peacefully on Friday July 23, 2021, at the Madison Center nursing home. She was born in Morgantown on August 11, 1935, to the late Louis Bako and Ann (Belan) Bako. Ellen graduated from University High School, class of 1953. Ellen was a people person who never met a person she didn’t like. Her working career was dedicated to the public and upon graduation, she was employed at the Clover Farm Store in Star City for nine years. In 1962, she moved to Washington D.C. and worked for Group Health Association as a dental technician. Ellen returned to West Virginia in 1978 and worked as a bank teller for 26 years at Farmers & Merchants, One Valley, and BB&T Banks making many life-long friends. Ellen devoted her life to raising two sons and enjoyed her later years watching her two grandsons grow up. She was a faithful member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church and was very involved with many activities at the parish. She will sadly be missed by her family and friends. She is survived by two sons, Chris & Amy Kourtsis of Charles Town, WV, and Cory & Carol Kourtsis of Morgantown, WV; one granddaughter Amanda Strong of Pittsburgh, PA; two grandsons Daniel and Nico Kourtsis of Morgantown, WV; one sister Sue Rutledge and husband Nick of Parkton, MD; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister Mary Ann Phillips and husband Robert of Monaca, PA; mother and father-in-law Helen and Nick Kourtsis of Morgantown, WV; sister-in-law and husband Goldie and John Lanos of Wheeling, WV; niece Stephanie Lanos of Wheeling, WV; and Aunt Ila Belan of Norton, WV. Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown, from 3 - 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 1, 2021 and will continue at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 3334B University Avenue, Star City, from 10 - 11 a.m. Monday, August 2, 2021, with Mass of Christian Burial to begin at 11 a.m. with Fr. John McDonough as celebrant. Entombment will follow at St. Mary Peace Garden Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ellen’s memory to St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 3334B University Avenue, Star City, WV 26505. Send condolences at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com