Ellen L. Hellie

Ellen Lucille Hellie was born on June 11, 1910 in Rock Dell, Minnesota, the daughter of Thorvald and Ingeborg Smeland Olson. She was baptized at East St. Olaf Church in Rock Dell. In 1918, Ellen came with her family to Albert Lea. She was confirmed in 1925 at the First Lutheran Church. Ellen graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1929 and from the Naeve Hospital School of Nursing in 1932. On November 2, 1935, Ellen was united in marriage to Vernon Hellie in Mason City, Iowa. Following their marriage, the couple moved to a farm near Lerdahl where they lived until 1970. Ellen and Vernon then moved into Clarks Grove. Ellen worked as a Registered Nurse for Naeve Hospital and for Good Samaritan, as well as doing some private duty nursing. She was an involved member of East Freeborn Lutheran Church where some of her activities included the WELCA, teaching Sunday School, Sunday School Superintendent, Altar Guild, and Quilting. She was also a 4-H Leader and an instructor for the Red Cross. Ellen enjoyed traveling, gardening, flowers, baking, embroidery, and making quilts. She especially enjoyed rocking and singing Norwegian lullabies to all of her grandchildren. Family and friends will always remember the generous hospitality of her egg coffee and fresh baked cookies. Survivors include her daughters Janan and husband Clarence Beenken of Albert Lea, and Linda and husband James Stahly of Littleton, CO; grandchildren Thomas Beenken, James and wife Tammy Beenken, Michael and wife Julie Beenken, Carole and husband Randy Jenson, Robert and wife Angel Stahly, and Martha Stahly; great-grandchildren Tina and husband Bill Pannkuk, Jeremy Beenken, Lori and husband Scott Ranney, Mary and husband Troy Thompson, Nicholas, Janna, and Jennifer Jenson, Alex, Jady, Kiley, Emily, and Brady Beenken, and Payton, Madison, Shaylen, and McKenna Stahly; great-great-grandchildren Spencer, Mikaela, and Jalicia; sister Mabel Cooper, sister-in-law Hazel Olson, and many nieces and nephews. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vernon in 1975, her grandson Matthew Stahly, brothers Ingvold, Gaylord, Alfred, Truman, and Mansville Olson; and her sisters Ella Nelson and Ruth Skiff. Ellen was loved and will be missed by many family and friends.