Alma Ellsworth, 85, Luverne, died Tuesday, May 20, 2003, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. Services were Friday, May 23, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Alma Aanenson was born to Ole and Otelia (Olson) Aanenson on Sept. 29, 1917, on the family farm in Luverne Township. She attended school in Magnolia. She also attended a Norwegian school and learned to read and write the language. After her education, she helped care for her younger brothers and sisters. She married Earl Ellsworth on Sept. 28, 1938, in Luverne. They farmed in the Luverne area most of their adult lives. They had a farm sale in 1975 and moved to Magnolia. She worked in the kitchen at the Magnolia School. Mr. Ellsworth died Dec. 9, 1983. She moved to Luverne in 1985 and worked in the Luverne School kitchen.Mrs. Ellsworth was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. She taught Sunday School and belonged to the Altar Guild, Ladies Church Circle and an Extension Club. She was known for her housekeeping, cooking and baking, especially her cookies. She enjoyed helping her son, Steve, with his teaching duties and correcting the student’s homework. She had fond memories of family fishing vacations in northern Minnesota. Survivors include one son, Steven (Jeanne) Ellsworth, Rock Rapids, Iowa; one daughter, Becky (Jerry) Arp, Sioux Falls, S.D.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gordon (Gloria) Aanenson, Kanaranzi, and Howard (Lavonelle) Aanenson, Pipestone; four sisters, Ramona (Bill) Skidmore, Minneapolis, Orla (Bill) Powell, Fairfax, Va., and JoAnn (Gary) Barmore, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; one sister-in-law, Ruth Patineau, Bloomington; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Mrs. Ellsworth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Earl, two brothers, Orville and Norman Aanenson, three sisters, Olga Brandenburg, Norma Zimmerman, Thelma Bonnett and an infant sister, Opal Ramona Aanenson. Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.
