Ellen V. Huson

Ellen Vivian Brietenbauch was born June 18, 1917, in Maine Township, Otter Tail County, MN, to Henry and Mary (Murray) Brietenbauch. Ellen was raised in that area and attended high school in Dilworth, MN. She worked alongside her family on their dairy and grain farm in Maine Township.

She married Roland S. Huson on October 4, 1941, in Underwood, MN, and they lived in Dilworth until moving to Moorhead, MN. Roland died March 17, 1992, and Ellen continued to make her home in Moorhead.

Ellen died Thursday, January 14, 2016, at Sheyenne Crossings, West Fargo, ND, at ninety-eight years of age.

Ellen took great pride in the raising of her family and service to others. Her faith was an integral part of her life and she saw to it that her family was raised accordingly. Ellen never went to sleep without praying. If she fell asleep in the midst of prayer, she would simply say that the angels finished for her. Ellen was very involved at St. Joseph Catholic Church and School in Moorhead. She was a Catholic Daughter and Christian Mother, and a regular volunteer in the church's kitchen preparing meals or serving in the dining hall.

Ellen enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, canning and sewing. Her donuts were "to die for" according to the majority of samplers. She made clothes for her daughters, daughter-in-law, and even one shirt for her son that was made out of a flour sack! It was not unusual for her daughters to go to bed at night and wake up to find a beautiful new outfit all pressed and hanging, ready to wear.

Ellen was known for her endless patience and "deaf ears" when her own children or grandchildren were being rowdy, as long as no one was being hurt. She enjoyed sharing stories of simpler times, her life on the farm, and the joy of family gatherings. One story she loved to share is how she and her family went to Midnight Mass in a sleigh drawn by horses. With heated rocks, it was always warm on the way there. The trip back was a different story, however.

Ellen made time to welcome everyone and there was always room for more at the dinner table. No matter how many, she squeezed everyone in. Sometimes it felt like the loaves and the fishes - no one knew where the extra food came from. When anyone departed her home (even those she saw everyday), she walked them out to the car and watched until she could see them no more. Even as adults, all children were required to call to say that they got home safely. The thing about Ellen is that she always made time for you - "later" or "tomorrow" were not in her vocabulary. Being together as a family was the most important thing to her.

Ellen is survived by her three daughters, Patti Huson (Dallas Bentley), St. Helens, OR, Monica (Loren) Kersting, West Fargo, and Kim (Dana) Carlson, Big Cormorant Lake, MN; nine grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; sister, LaVerne Anderson, Fergus Falls, MN; and a daughter-in-law, Diane Huson, Lithia, FL.

In addition to her husband, Ellen was preceded in death by a daughter, Sheila and her husband, Larry Jaeckels; son, Roland Huson; granddaughter, Alexa Kersting; sister, Patricia McArthur; and a brother, Lawrence Brietenbauch.

Visitation will be Monday, January 18, 2016, from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.

Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at 11 AM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead.

Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead.