Ellen Hardway Rugen

Ellen Joan Hardway Rugen, age 86, passed away peacefully February 4, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was born to the late William Burridge Hardway and Helen Kennedy Hardway in Pasadena, California on March 28, 1930. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Otto Nicholas (Nick) Rugen, who passed away April 9, 2015. Ellen graduated from M.A.D. (Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte) High School in the San Gabriel Valley of California in 1948. She then attended the University of California at Berkeley where she joined the Chi Omega sorority and met her husband. She graduated from Cal in 1952 and was a school teacher until the birth of her first child in 1958, after which she became a homemaker. She was a second generation Californian and lived there most of her life. During her last 40 years in the state she lived in the lovely beach town of Del Mar, north of San Diego. Ellen was a long time member of the Episcopal Church, the P.E.O. Sisterhood and the San Diego Yacht Club. She and her husband enjoyed sailing with the yacht club cruising fleet, and international travel. She also relished bridge and managing her stock portfolio. She is survived by her two children; her daughter, Christine Rugen Haller of Fayetteville, and her son, Karl Nicholas Rugen, of Pusan, South Korea, and her four grandchildren; Dane Nicholas Rugen, Brandon Lee Rugen, Carson Rugen Haller and Daniel Rugen Haller. Her memorial service, with reception to follow, to be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas on Tuesday, February 14th at 2 p.m. To honor Ellen's life and legacy donations in Ellen's name can be made to: Caring Friends Respite Ministry, c/o St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701. Arrangements by Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home Rogers, Arkansas.