Ellen Elizabeth Wood

Ellen Elizabeth (Runnels) Wood known as Liz Wood, age 76 of Plainview, Nebraska passed away on Saturday, December 30th, 2023 in Sioux Falls, SD.  Liz was born to William Riley Runnels and LouElla Pearl (Rouillard) Runnels on November 15th, 1947 in Nespelem, Washington.  From a young age Liz was raised by her grandparents Eugene and Mary Louise Rouillard.  During her childhood they lived in Denver, CO Sidney, NE, Santee, NE and Creighton, NE.  Liz was an enrolled member of the Colville Confederated Tribe of Washington State but also descended from the Isanti Dakota Tribe of Nebraska, Lower Brule Tribe of South Dakota and Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.

Liz was a musical prodigy playing piano and accordion from a young age.  In 1954 when Liz was only 7 years old she participated in the Kiwanis Club, Stars of Tomorrow Show, playing both accordion and piano solos.  She also received an excellent rating from the Sidney Chapter of the Piano Guild.   Liz’s love of music carried on throughout her life.  In addition to music, she had a great passion for reading.  She loved reading and writing poetry.   The walls of her home were covered with books.  Anytime you saw Liz she was probably reading.  She was always on the hunt for books at library sales, auctions, and garage sales.  Liz was very knowledgeable about antiques and loved hitting up auctions.  She loved the Grateful Dead and followed them on many tours.  While attending these shows she would head out in her VW van with her handmade jewelry, dream catchers and her famous tie-dye.  Her business name was “A Good Day to Dye”.  Liz’s tie-dyes were beautiful and every one she knew would be sporting a t-shirt or socks.  Liz enjoyed being out in nature and was very knowledgeable about native plants, natural remedies and gathering of Indigenous foods.

She was educated at St. Ledger Catholic School in Creighton, NE, graduating in 1966, attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Wayne State College graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature in 1986.  Her chosen vocation was accounting and tax preparation.  She owned a business in Plainview for many years.

While playing accordion with a band in Breslau, NE, Liz met future husband Wendell Wood.  After moving to California in 1969, they were married in 1970.  Of this union there are four sons. Their first two children Stephen and Tyler were born in California.  After returning to the Plainview, NE area they purchased a farm and Daniel and Christopher were born. After her sister Mary’s passing, Liz raised her niece Isis Runnels.  Although Liz and Wendell’s union ended in divorce, they remained lifelong friends.

Liz is survived by her brother John Runnels of Plainview, NE, half-brothers Duane Simpson of Nevada, Darryl Stanger of Omak, Washington, and Mark Labriola of Colorado. Her children Stephen Wood, Tyler Wood, Daniel Wood, Christopher Wood and Isis Runnels.  Her beloved grandchildren Nathanial Scott, Zoe Wood and Izabella Wood.  Nieces and Nephews Todd Runnels, Nepthys Justo, Tom Mechaley II, James Mechaley, Hank Wilson and Michael Runnels as well as many other nieces, nephews,  great nieces and nephews.   She is preceded in death by her grandparents Euguene and Mary Louise Rouillard, parents William and LouElla Runnels, sister Mary Louise Runnels, half-sister Barbra Wapato, and Wendell Wood.