Ellen K Chudy

SUN PRAIRIE - Ellen Kay (Smith) Chudy, age 73, of Sun Prairie, passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026. After a courageous fight, Ellen went to Heaven surrounded by her loving family, who stayed by her side until her very last moment.

She was born on August 12, 1953, in Madison, the daughter of Richard and Marilyn (Palan) Smith. Ellen knew the heartbreak of losing her parents far too soon, and their absence was something she carried with her throughout her life.

Ellen was a deeply devoted mother who centered her life around her children, Tristan and Julia. She leaned into motherhood with her whole heart and loved her children with a fierce, unwavering loyalty. Being a mother wasn’t simply a part of Ellen’s life-it was at the very heart of who she was. Her love was unconditional and constant. To her children, she wasn’t just a good mother; she was the best mother they could have ever asked for. Ellen always supported the things her children loved, because if they mattered to them, they mattered to her. Whether it was listening to her son talk about his love of Godzilla or spending hours with her daughter talking about anything and everything, she was always genuinely interested and happy to be a part of their world. She was their best friend, their rock, their safe place, their protector, their biggest believer, and their home. She truly was the light of their lives, just as they were the light of hers. Perhaps the greatest gift Ellen gave her children was something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives: the deep, unshakable knowledge that they were profoundly loved.

Ellen enjoyed thrifting and antiquing, always finding joy in the hunt. She had a keen eye for Victorian treasures, with a particular love for antique furniture and jewelry. She loved garage sales, estate sales, church sales, and the simple adventure of going somewhere-or nowhere at all. Her daughter, Julia, was always by her side, and together they could turn even the ordinary into a cherished memory. With Ellen, just being in her presence was a good time. Her quick wit and clever sense of humor had a way of making everyone around her laugh. Ellen was truly one of the funniest people, with an unmistakable gift for finding humor in the everyday moments of life. She believed laughter was the best medicine.

She was genuine, selfless, and always there for the people she loved. She never wavered in what she believed was right. She was a woman who spoke with honesty, conviction, and heart. She was a compassionate listener who had a gift for making people feel heard, understood, and cared for. Her mother taught her the importance of “killing them with kindness,” a lesson Ellen carried throughout her life and passed down to her children. She was tenacious and resourceful, facing life’s challenges with strength and determination-qualities her children proudly carry with them. Ellen possessed a natural beauty that was unmistakable-one that came not only from her appearance, but from the warmth, strength, and spirit she carried within her. She never needed to try to be beautiful; it was simply part of who she was. Her daughter loved to remind her she had the most beautiful mom in the world.

She treasured every moment with her family, especially the irreplaceable bond she shared with her grandson, Silas Boone. He brought her immense joy, and she was so proud to be his Grammy.

There are no words that could ever fully explain how much she meant to her family or how deeply she will be missed. She was never simply a part of their lives; she was woven into every part of them. Her love was something her children could always feel. Losing her didn’t simply leave a hole-it changed the shape of their entire world.

Ellen is survived by her children, Julia (Dave Overton) Cole and Tristan (Samantha) Cole; grandson, Silas Overton; and brothers, John (Susan) Smith and Mark Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Marilyn Smith; and her former husband and the father of her children, Rodney Cole.

While her family wishes with all their hearts that she could still be here, they find comfort in knowing that Ellen is whole, restored, healthy, and at peace in Heaven. They find solace in imagining her reunited with her mother, father, and Rodney.

She was home.

And now her family is learning how to live without being able to come home to her.

“Lord, give us the strength to persevere,
the energy to accomplish,
the conscience to guide our efforts,
and the heart to be grateful for all Your blessings. Amen.”

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420