Erna L. Ellingson

Erna Ellingson, 79, Christine, ND, died May 11, 2013, after a year-long battle with colon cancer. Erna was born July 10, 1933, to Walter and Helena (Krause) Lehrke at Peever, SD. The family lived in a number of places in the Browns Valley, MN, and Sisseton, SD, area. Erna attended high school at the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, MN, where she met her husband, Hartley Ellingson. They were united in marriage on September 18, 1954.

Erna enjoyed being busy. She worked before marriage at the Commonwealth Loan Company, St. Paul, MN. Early in their marriage, Erna did clerical work for Nash Finch and Robert Gibb. She was active in many organizations while her children where younger including serving on the state board of the PTA where she led an anti-smoking campaign in the late 1960’s. She also led the local 4H club, was a member of the Eagle Homemakers (including a state officer), was on the Richland 44 school board, and worked with the Richland Music Parents organization. As her nest began to empty, Erna returned to work this time in alterations, first at JC Penney’s and later, Dayton’s, where she retired in 1996. In her spare time, Erna enjoyed sewing, quilting, and helping others.

Erna and Hartley attended the first Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion at Rollag, MN, and she was looking forward to attending the upcoming 60th show. At WMSTR, Erna volunteered in many capacities through the years from serving food to members, selling souvenirs and running the General Store, making lye soap, and restoring and displaying the Main Street house. She was chosen as the WMSTR Honorary Steam Queen in 2003.

Faith was an important part of Erna’s life. She was an active member of Hickson Lutheran Church, Hickson, ND. Her belief allowed her to face her illness and final days with hope for a better tomorrow, knowing that she was a child of God.

Erna leaves her husband, Hartley of Christine; daughters, Rynae (Victor) Klosterman, Oxbow, and Roxanne (Dave) Morken, Walcott; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Ellingson, Fargo; grandchildren: Sadie Ellingson, Alexandria, MN, Emily and Sanders Ellingson, Fargo, and Janet and Laura Morken, Walcott. She is also survived by her sisters, Lucy King, Santa Margarita, CA; Evelyn Witz, Inver Grove Heights, MN; Elaine Anderson, Dalton, MN; and Marlisse Klimas, Inver Grove Heights, MN; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her son, Noren Ellingson; grandson, James Morken; her parents; and brother, Herbert Lehrke.