Elna (Ellie) Pedersen Rysdahl

Elna (Ellie) Pedersen Rysdahl, age 80 went to be with the Lord February 28 after a twenty-six year battle with Parkinson's disease. Ellie was a loving wife of 59 years and 4 months and a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. 

Ellie was born on September 13, 1930, the daughter of Andrew & Anna Pedersen. She graduated from Fairmont High School in 1947, later she graduated with a LPN as president of her class in Nurses Training School in St. Paul MN. Ellie met and married Donald Rysdahl, October 28, 1951. Later she moved to Eugene, OR and was employed approximately 40 years in the medical profession. 

She retired and moved back to Fairmont, MN in 1993. She enjoyed writing poetry, and loved to make and sell crafts. She was active in the community and involved with her church, (Bethel Evangelical church) and served as their librarian. She enjoyed gathering with friends and family, traveling, canning and baking. She loved to play the piano and sing hymns to her Savior. She moved to Moses Lake WA in 2002 to be closer to her daughter and family. 

Ellie was preceded in death by two beloved daughters, Marcia Jean at the age of 14 and Julie Marie at the age of 3 days, Also 3 sisters-Olga, Helen, and Mary and 4 brothers-Harold, Soren, Nels, and Gordon. She is survived by her son Neal Rysdahl, daughters Dawn (John) Lesterson and Paula Dempster, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving her is one sister Margaret and one brother, Ruben and countless friends and family. 

A memorial service to honor her life will be held Saturday the 12th at 11AM. The service will be officiated by Pastor Jody Bowser and held at the Moses Lake Alliance Church, 1100 North Grape Drive in Moses Lake WA.