Carol Ann Ellsworth

Carol Ann Ellsworth, 89, passed away February 7, 2026 at Mother Francis Hospital surrounded by family and friends. Carol was born August 31, 1936 in Waupun Wisconsin to Clarence Rens and Alice Bronkhorst Rens. She is preceded in death by her brother, Larry L. Rens of Waupun and her parents and husband. She remembered going to school with shortages during WWII, working as a soda jerk in the town drugstore, and going to church services in Dutch in Alto, Wisc. After attending school in Waupun she moved to Anchorage, Alaska where she worked at the only department store, Northern Commercial, in charge of ready to wear and the bridal department. She then moved to Minneapolis, MN where she worked as the Bridal Coordinator, Fashion Director and buyer for Donaldsons Dept. Store. In 1962, she moved to Dallas, Texas where she met and married the love of her life, Frank Leslie “Les” Ellsworth II. They had three children, Les III., Marcia, and Stephen. Les married Susan Dill of Tyler, their children are Autumn, Allyson and Jonathan. Autumn married Paul Ruark of Tyler, and they had Carol’s 1st great grandchild, Andrew. Allyson married Lane Marsh of Tyler. Marcia married Steven Byrd of Dallas, their children are Cole, Savannah, Heath and Audrey. Cole married Audrey Dukes of Tyler, Savannah married Hayden Long of Guntersville, AL and had Carol’s 2nd great grandchild, Eliza. Stephen married Rachel Rawlinson of Plano, their children are Carson and Tanner. In the late 1970s, Carol was the Food Service Director for Pine Cove Christian Camps in Tyler. In 1981, she and Les opened the original Potpourri House on Front Street combining her passions for food, fashion and antiques. Les and she handed the business down to their son Les III, and today he runs the store with his daughter Autumn, the 3rd generation. Carol served as the visionary with Les for the business that has now been thriving in Tyler for more than 45 years! Carol loved the Lord and her family and friends. She will be greatly missed. A small family gathering will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery officiated by Scott Winn, a close family friend and pastor. Music will be provided by Paul Ruark. A celebration of her life will be scheduled for family and friends at a future date at the Potpourri House. It will also be officiated by Scott Winn. Carol supported many charities, so in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to World Vision in her honor.

Carol Ann Ellsworth

August 31, 1932 - February 7, 2026