Obituary: Ellen H. Burthold

Ellen H. Burthold, age 89, formerly of Pekin, N.D., passed away Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Missouri Slope Westview Special Care Unit in Bismarck, N.D.

Ellen Helene Loe was born November 4, 1932 to Lloyd and Emma (Birkeland) Loe at their farm home in rural Warwick, N.D. She was the fourth of eight children. She attended Hillsdale Country School and graduated from Sheyenne High School in 1950. She then attended Minot State Teachers College and obtained a teaching certificate. While in college, she was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. She then taught at rural country schools and in Lakota, N.D., before her marriage. Ellen married Fyllis Burthold on June 16, 1954 at the Warwick Lutheran Church during a torrential rainstorm. She continued teaching at the Pekin Public School after moving to the farm just west of Pekin.

While growing up, Ellen helped her aunts care for her Hulbert & Erickson cousins. Music was a central part of her life, and she often expressed gratitude to her parents for making sure she was able to take piano lessons. She retired from being the organist of Pekin Lutheran Church after 64 years. Ellen also taught piano lessons to many local children. She always had a huge vegetable garden and enjoyed canning and freezing the produce for her family to enjoy. She was known locally for her delicious homemade doughnuts. When she wasn't cooking for the family and the farm workers, she may have been sewing clothing, quilting, or working in her flower beds. She was an avid reader all of her life and especially enjoyed suspense thrillers. Ellen and several of her high school classmates kept in touch for 70 years by a "Round Robin" letter sharing.

In 2014, after living on the farm for 60 years, Ellen and Fyll moved to NCHS Assisted Living Apartments. Fyll passed away on October 15, 2018. Ellen moved to the NCHS Care Center in early 2020. In August of 2021 she moved to Jamestown, and in May of this year to Missouri Slope Westview, Special Care Unit.

Survivors include her son, Matt (Doria) of Bismarck, N.D.; four daughters, Marcia (Leif) Bollingberg, Courtenay, N.D., Liz (Mike) Hagen, West Fargo, N.D., Teresa Smith (Mike Wood), Bismarck, and Rebecca (Steve) Forde, Pekin, N.D.; 14 grandchildren, Grant (Jennifer) Bollingberg, Zachary (Lyndsey) Smith, Ross (Tonia) Bollingberg, Dane (Alicia) Bollingberg, Alexandra (Mike) Gowan, Shannon (Bender) Hoag, Marissa Burthold (Marcos Palachios), Cortney (Josh) McNamer, Mitchell Smith, Anna Hagen, Ellie Hagen (Trevor Magnuson), Calahan, Eric, and Cheyenne Forde; 19 beautiful great grandchildren; one brother, Irvin (Barbara) Loe; three sisters-in-law, Faye, Jeneen, and Jan Loe; and many nieces and nephews.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant daughter, Wendy Carmen; three brothers, Emil, David, and Mike; three sisters, Laurel Kokko, Betty Anderson, and Marilyn Stenberg; and many from her extended family.

The Funeral Service was held at American Lutheran Church of Tolna, N.D., on Friday, October 7, 2022 at 11 a.m. Visitation was held at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial followed at the Pekin Cemetery. There was a reception from 1 – 2 p.m. at the home of Rebecca and Steve Forde for all friends and relatives.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Nelson County Health System Foundation, the Pekin Park Board, or Missouri Slope Westview Unit.