Ella ‘Jean’ Tolles, 83, passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.
Jean was born on August 13, 1939, in San Luis Obispo, California. She was an only child of Charles Rice and Margaret Jean Dickenson. Jean was a proud member of the St. Bernard’s High School graduating class of 1957. She joined the US Navy in 1959 and left in 1961 a Dental Technician 3rd Class to start her new career as a mother. Although she lived many places in her life her hometown was Eureka, California. Jean worked as a dental technician in a private practice for Dr. Welling, as a bank bookkeeper, an office worker for St. Bernard’s High School, and finally retired from her career as an Assisted Living Administrator at a senior care facility she owned. She was an avid fisherwoman and loved to crochet. She met the love of her life and married Ronley Wellington Tolles on September 2, 2003, in San Diego, California at the bay in front of the ship ‘The Star of India’. Her love of dolphins was unmatched, and her bucket list got shorter when her dream came true, and she swam with dolphins in Hawaii on vacation with her family. In her retirement years she loved to play bingo and call bingo at The Springs in Butte where she lived. They have established a Thursday bingo game in her name. She also loved playing Mahjong. She was a member at St. Bernard’s Church in Eureka, California. She was devoted to her husband who she referred to as her Knight in Shining Armor, her family, her friends and her two special friends, her dogs Mitzi Sue and Gabriella. Jean was loving, giving, had a lovely singing voice, a wonderful sense of humor and loved to cook and eat good food. She was a friend to everyone, and she never knew a stranger.
Jean is survived by her husband Ron Tolles. Her loving children: Carla Jean Hebard Hanson (James), Wendy Kathleen Hebard Starr (Tory). Her stepchildren: William Hebard jr., Cindy Hebard (Steve), Allen Tolles, Wesley Tolles, and Dale Tolles. Proud of her grandchildren: Sarah Jean Hightower, Heather Wilson (Shane), Melanie Gering (Trevor), Mitchell Hinman, Shalisa Hinman, Colton Hubbard, Bethany Hubbard, Morgan Chapman (Kayla), Jaycee Chapman Shearer (Brian), Jeff Hebard, Carrie Hebard, Cory Hebard, Chelsea Hebard, and Billy Hebard.
Delighted by her great grandchildren: Margaret Jean Hassler, Henry Hassler, Elizabeth Hassler, Graham Wilson, Isaac Wilson, Abigail Gering, Saoirse Gering, Lucy Gering, and Oliver Gentle.
Beloved Cousins: Thomas and Tahini Long, Gary and Lyndy Cunningham, David and Debbie McCanless
She was proceeded in death by her father Charles E. Rice and her beloved stepfather Dominic ‘Blackie’ Selvaggi. Her mother Margaret Jean Dickenson Selvaggi. Her former husband William Leslie Hebard.
Private family gathering will be held later. Per Jean’s request her ashes will be scattered at sea.
Donations can be made at Catholiccharities.org or BoysTown.org
The family would like to thank the staff of The Springs at Butte and Senior Solutions for their loving care.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Jean.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Jean and her family.
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Lynn cunningham says
We are so sad to lose our Matriarch Cousin Ella Jean❤️ She will be missed and we send all our love to Carla, Wendy & families💜
Ronley Tolles says
I could not have been more pleased with Axelson’s showing of my beloved Ella Jean! I lost a best friend and loving wife and she will sorely be missed. The viewing was attended by many of her local friends here in Butte and her oldest daughter and grand daughter from Washingron State!
Wendy Starr says
I will forever be comforted by the outpouring of love and compassion shown to my Mom and to Ron during her illness and final days. I can truly attest that the happiest I had ever seen my mom was during the time she spent with Ron, her friends, her puppies, and the loving staff of The Springs at Butte these last 4 years. Although too numerous to mention, I especially want to thank some of the staff at The Springs who mom mentioned the most fondly and frequently: Trish, Mom’s care provider, (you made her feel safe in her time of vulnerability, and protected her dignity. She adored you for that and so much more) Michaela and Josselyn for sharing Christmas light outings, and prom dress previews with mom, and to Andrew, who she always felt so cared for and supported by. I know there are many, many more who she loved, and I regret that I do not have all your names…But Mom does, and please know she loves you and is praying for you. You all treated her like she was your very own Nana and she loved you so very much! I also want to thank the administrative staff at The Springs – those unsung heroes who made her final wish possible, to spend her final days in her home, The Springs. I also wish to thank the wonderful staff at Senior Solutions Hospice for their support to the entire family during her illness.