Ellen Baranowski

Ellen Sue Baranowski, beloved educator, nature lover and artist, died Saturday, Feb 19, 2022, at her home in Urbana, Illinois.

Ellen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies at Northeastern IL University and a Masters Degree in Education at the University of IL at Champaign- Urbana.

Ellen worked in education her entire career and retired from Kenwood Elementary School in Champaign after 20 years. Ellen is fondly remembered by her students as an extremely caring, patient and creative teacher who loved her students and dedicated herself fully to them. She brought her passions for nature, reading and art into her classroom and beyond every day. Ellen was awarded with the Women of Distinction Award in 2001 by the Girl Scouts - Green Meadows Council for exhibiting outstanding leadership and service to her community.

Ellen was instrumental in improving the library system for the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and collected and delivered thousands of books to them over the years.

Ellen became interested in the Zentangle method of drawing and began to share her love of it with friends and family. She was so inspired by it, she eventually became an accomplished teacher of the method. She taught children and adult Zentangle and drawing classes in Urbana and at Heartland Community College. Of herself, she notes, "You are living in art because that is the way you see and experience the world."

Ellen loved to travel and camp in her tiny Scamp trailer. She drove to many places, near and far, including Alaska twice. After retirement, she was able to realize a dream of becoming a camp host. She was a camp host in the Gila Cliff Dwellings in New Mexico, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve in Champaign County, IL and Clam Gulch State Recreation Area in Alaska.

Ellen loved nature and became a Master Naturalist in 2021. She found beauty everywhere. She was always learning more and sharing her knowledge of all things natural every opportunity she got. She continued to volunteer to many nature related causes, most recently with the Anita Purves Nature Center in Urbana.

Ellen was the family historian. She will be deeply missed by her father, George (Irene-deceased), and siblings, Tom (Marsha), Bonnie (Carl), Jan (Patrick), June (Vince) and John (Nora) and many nieces and nephews. Ellen was cherished by her network of dear friends in the Champaign-Urbana area and beyond. Her life touched every person she met in an indelible way.

In place of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ellens honor to one of the following: Champaign County Audubon Society or Grand Prairie Friends

A celebration of life service will be hosted on Saturday, March 5th at the White Eagle Events and Conference Center, 6839 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL at 12:00 PM. A luncheon will follow. An additional celebration will be hosted in Urbana by the U-C Friends Meeting in the month of June.