Ellen Holthusen, 95 of Grygla, MN died peacefully on Friday, May 13, 2016 at Sanford Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN with her loving family at her side.

Funeral service to celebrate her life will be held at 5:00 PM on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN with Rev. Vicki Saude-Worthington officiating.  Burial will follow at Rosebud Cemetery, rural Fourtown, MN.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN.

Ellen Clara Johnson was born on March 15, 1921 in Roseau County, MN the daughter of Elmer and Mary (Knapper) Johnson.  She was baptized in the Christian faith.    Ellen grew up and attended Thorholt Country School.  She was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid.

In 1943, Ellen and her sister, Mabel moved to the west coast and went to work in the shipyards, building ships for the war effort.  They also worked in the fruit orchards for a time before returning to Minnesota.

On April 16, 1950, Ellen was united in marriage to Vernon Holthusen at the Lutheran parsonage in Grygla, MN.  The couple made their home in Thorholt where they raised their lovely children.

Ellen and Ardell Roen had a Christmas wreath business for many years.  They produced thousands of wreaths which were sold throughout northwest Minnesota.  Ellen also did cake decorating but her biggest job was a homemaker and mother to her children.

Ellen had multiple hobbies including fishing, mushroom & berry picking, gardening and crafts with her hands. Making bread was at the top of her list, baking apple pie and watching her garden grow. Ellen left us with the understanding of how to live life: giving and sharing with family and friends.

Survivors include children, Marilyn Botko of Coon Rapids, MN, Darald (Lorraine) Holthusen of Grygla, MN, Gene (Jodie) Holthusen of Viking, MN and Elayne (Wade) Sundberg of Grygla, MN; grandchildren, Kelly (Cal) Linzmeyer, Terri (Paul) Karnowski, Pat (Michelle) Botko, Stacy Carter, Joey Holthusen, Tobey Holthusen, Erin (Nathan) Peterson, Caleb (Katie) Holthusen, Zachary (Melissa) Holthusen, Jordan (Nate) Koland, Katie (Ryan) Haugen, Heidi (Marc) Haugen, Amanda Sundberg and Rebecca Sundberg; numerous great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Hazel Holthusen & Ardell Roen; and many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband in 2003; son-in-law Jerry Botko in 2004; grandsons, Adam as an infant and Lars Sundberg in 2013; parents; siblings, Dorothy Anderson, Clarence Johnson, Raymond Johnson, Arthur Johnson, Richard Johnson, and Mabel Hurd.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com