Ellen May Kuellmer

1953-2021

Ellen Kuellmer, born April 19, 1953, in Socorro, NM, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on May 15, 2021, in Albuquerque, NM.

Ellen was a dancer. As a child, her mother helped her to pursue that dream with regular trips to Albuquerque for dance lessons. She also studied with Sue Cottom’s School of Dance in Socorro and began sharing her love of dance by assisting teaching younger students.

After graduating from Socorro High School in 1971, she attended the University of Utah before moving to Chicago where she danced with Gus Giordano Dance Company. She later attended State University of New York College at Brockport earning her B.A.in Dance, Magna Cum-Laude in 1978. She earned her master’s degree in P.E from Colorado State University in 1980.

She operated her own dance studio in Socorro for many years. She also taught for the Socorro Consolidated Schools and then for the Zuni Public Schools. She retired in September 2020.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Frederick J. Kuellmer and Jane M. Kuellmer, and her sister Marcia Kuellmer. She is survived by her daughter, Melinda Beth Hefner; her sister, Louise Kuellmer; her brother, Larry Kuellmer (Wanda); nephews: Justin Dehnert, Anthony DiGiacco (Ada); nieces: Asia and Victoria (Ben).

Services will be held on June 19, 2021, at 10 a.m. at the Epiphany Episcopal Church at 908 Leroy Pl, Socorro, NM. Service capacity may be subject to covid limitations. Masks will be required. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Ronald McDonald House.

El Defensor Chieftain