Ellen Marie Westergaard Jackson ("Westy"), 92, formerly of West Des Moines and Whiting, Iowa, died at Brookdale Senior Living in Saul Rapids, MN on November 21, 2016. Ellen was born on November 12, 1924 in Whiting to Danish immigrants Lucia and Knud Westergaard. She and her brother Harold delighted in their lives as farm children. Ellen attended Whiting Schools and then Morningside College in Sioux City, where she studied music and physical education. There she met her future husband, Dale Jackson, as well as a group of classmates, dubbed the "Grammer Girls," who became her life-long friends. Ellen and Dale were married on December 16, 1945, just as Dale was discharged from Naval service at the close of WWII. A life-long educator, Ellen taught elementary music and physical education for nearly 40 years in a dozen West Des Moines schools. Her vision of school was "big rooms filled with kids doing activities and having fun," a place where children could go "where they know they can trust people." Ellen lived out her vision, touching the lives of thousands of children and mentoring numerous fellow teachers. Comments from colleagues include: "I don't know anyone more caring and eager to do for others. Kids especially love her." "Ellen has an open and optimistic view of life and such genuine, tender love and concern for people."In addition to her work, Ellen was continuously involved in family and community activities. The center of Ellen's religious life was Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines, where she was involved with youth choirs, Sunday school and church night dinners. Ellen and Dale became famous for the social gatherings in their home and on the lawn of their Ashworth Road acreage, among Ellen's beautiful gardens. Ellen traveled to Europe often, taking along her children, husband, friends, and eventually all of her grandchildren. Her favorite destination was Denmark, and she became a devoted supporter of the National Danish Museum in Elkhorn, Iowa.In retirement, Ellen and Dale enjoyed operating bed and breakfasts in their West Des Moines home as well as in a home they built in Whiting in 2000, which was surrounded by fields and wetlands. After Dale's death, Ellen stayed active in the Whiting schools and at the local nursing home. She maintained treasured friendships through luncheons as well as through old-fashioned written correspondence. Ellen is survived by her three children: Dana Blanck (Stan Sutter), Rick Jackson (Marcy), and Laurie Nelson (Peter); six grandchildren: Erin Blanck, Christian Blanck, Sara Jackson, Louisa Jackson, Karen Wenzel and Kim Nelson Pryor; and seven great-grandchildren: Antonia, Danica, Ellen, Wesley, Samuel, Dane, and Gael. She is also survived by nieces Judi Pratt and Karen Corderman and nephews Jim and John Jackson; Ram Ganjoo, of India, and Scott Blanck. She was preceded in death by her brother Harold and her granddaughters Emily and Melinda Nelson. A celebration of Ellen's life will be held at a date to be determined in the spring of 2017 in Whiting, Iowa. Memorials can be sent to Whiting Congregational Church and/or Whiting Public Schools, Whiting, Iowa. Personal messages may be sent to Laurie Nelson, 1124 Mill Creek Circle, St. Cloud, MN 56303.