Ellen L. Madison

Ellen Lorraine Kjensrud was born at her familychr(39)s rural Hatton, N.D. home on November 24, 1927. Her parents, Paul and Elida Kjensrud, had seven children, Ellie being the youngest. She attended country school until the eighth grade. According to the custom of the time, she was forbidden to use the only language she knew, Norwegian, at school. After eighth grade, at age thirteen, Ellie went to live and work on a nearby farm as a housekeeper and motherchr(39)s helper. Even at this early age she had a tremendous work ethic and sense of responsibility. Throughout her childhood and well into her adult years Ellie dreamed of continuing her education and becoming a nurse. By 1949 Ellie had moved to Grand Forks, ND. There she met her husband, Ernest Madison, on a city bus they both used to get to work. They married on August 30, 1950, in Fargo, North Dakota. They had five children: Claudia (Stephen) Seymour, Detroit Lakes, MN; Gregory, Bemidji, MN; Michelle (Thomas) Tessin, Remer, MN; Linda (Clyde) Wetsch, Mandan, ND; and Jan (Keith) Hunt of Bemidji, MN. Ellie and her family moved to Detroit Lakes, MN in 1957. Ellie worked as a waitress at the Erie Jr. restaurant in Detroit Lakes many years until finally she completed a GED and became a licensed practical nurse. Elliechr(39)s practical experience as a mother, her education, and her desire to do something meaningful in life all supported her work as an infant nursery nurse at St. Marychr(39)s Hospital in Detroit Lakes. She thrived on the challenges of her work, and lavished love and care on each one of her charges. Her husband Ernest passed away in 1977. Ellie had a hearty laugh, a huge heart, and love for music. She had what her family called "momisms" "? a rather fractured use of the English language that endeared her to all of us. Expressions such as "frighties!," "zow!," or "didies," and many more exuberant phrases peppered her conversation. She enjoyed playing cards, reading, listening to music of many types (Italian tenors were a favorite), cooking, baking, and "her stories" on television. As a mother she showed through her example respect for all living things, optimism and peace. She taught her children prayers and Bible stories, and was a very loving, strict parent. She encouraged her family to work hard in both their jobs and education. She was a strong Christian woman who stayed true to her values her entire life. The last decade of her life was extremely difficult because of health issues. She was diagnosed with Alzheimerchr(39)s disease in 2004, and true to form she handled that grim news with courage and practicality. She told her family where shechr(39)d like to go for her care, her wishes for her end-of-life care, and outlined her desired final arrangements. She resided at Emmanuel Nursing Home since 2004, receiving specialized and loving care throughout her stay. Ellie will be missed by her children and their spouses, her nine grand children, Gabriel Tessin, Ben Hunt, Tyler Hunt, Lisa Hunt Knight, Matthew Wetsch, Katie Wetsch, Suzanna Seymour, Rebecca Seymour Vander Vorst, and Victoria Seymour; her three great-grandchildren, Olivia Knight, Adelyn Knight, and Zoe Vander Vorst; and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind many friends who will remember her coffee pot perking away and fresh-baked goodies on the table. Ellie is preceded in death by her husband Ernest, her parents, her siblings, and her son-in-law, Stephen Seymour. Her family is comforted to know that the Lord she trusted and loved all her life has prepared a place for her. She is truly home.