The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Joanne Ellingson, died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, at Broen Home in Fergus Falls.

She was born Nov. 7, 1941, in Fergus Falls, to Edwin and Betty (Anderson) Nelson. She grew up in Ashby and graduated from Ashby High School.

On Aug. 28, 1959, she married Stanley Ellingson at First Presbyterian Church in Ashby. They resided in Ashby until the early 1970s, when they moved to their farm.

Joanne was employed by Milton Smesrud Insurance for many years. She also waitressed at the City Café and enjoyed a long career as an Avon sales consultant.

Joanne enjoyed playing her practical jokes at the café. She is remembered for her “lead cup” prank.

She would paint the bird houses that Stanley would make.

Joanne and Stanley had a large garden and did lots of canning and enjoyed watching the wildlife around their farm.

She will be missed by her beagle, Ruby.

She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Stanley of Ashby; her children, Steve (Brenda) Ellingson of Maple Grove and Susan (Steve) Thorsen of Fergus Falls; five grandchildren, Sonja Ellingson, Samantha Ellingson, Skylar Ellingson, Ashley Thorsen and Ryan Thorsen; a sister, Carolyn (Darrell) Anderson of Evansville; a brother, Richard (Rita) Nelson of White Bear Lake; a sister-in-law, Janice Ellingson of Ashby; and two brothers-in-law, Paul (Mary) Ellingson of Ashby and Mike (Karen) Ellingson of Sierra Vista, Ariz.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Sidney and Edna Ellingson.

Visitation: Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 2 p.m. Saturday, at First Presbyterian Church, Ashby

Clergy: Rev. Tom Junkert

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Ashby

Condolences may be sent online at www.glendenilson.com