Ellen Ann Dehlin, 81

Ellen Ann Dehlin, 81, was joyfully welcomed into heaven on July 13, 2012.

Ellen Ann was born April 15, 1931 in Pelican Rapids, the daughter of Elmer and Frances (Erickson) Christopherson. She grew up in Pelican Rapids, a town she loved and was proud of all her life. Ellen Ann was always musical and a sports enthusiast as well. In the sixth grade at the age of 12, she became the full-time church organist at Pelican Valley Church. In high school she was a cheerleader. Ellen Ann graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1949.

Following high school, Ellen Ann attended Concordia College in Moorhead for one year. It was at Concordia that she met her future husband, Lester Dehlin, in a music class. She completed college at Moorhead State University with a degree in teaching and then taught elementary school in Fargo, ND for two years.

On June 19, 1953 Ellen Ann was united in marriage to Lester Dehlin at Ringsaker Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids. Les and Ellen Ann were blessed with five children, Camille, Michael, Carol, Maren and Bonnie. The couple lived in Brooten for two years following their marriage before moving to Staples in 1955, where they resided for 10 years. In 1965, Ellen Ann and Les moved to Alexandria.

Music was a lifelong love for Ellen Ann. She taught piano lessons from her home. She was also an excellent piano accompanist and joyfully provided this service to churches, schools, and many other organizations. Making music together was a fundamental part of Ellen Ann and Les’s marriage. For seven years, Les directed the Alexandria Area Community Chorus with Ellen Ann as the group’s accompanist.

Ellen Ann also volunteered her time at Lincoln Elementary School in Alexandria. She was an active member of the Zetetic Club and the Euterpean Club, a women’s music organization in Alexandria. Ellen Ann enjoyed playing cards and never passed up a chance to play 500 rummy. She enjoyed nature and the lakes. She loved swimming and was always the first one in the water. Sitting in the back yard with Les, enjoying the birds, flowers, trees, and squirrels with a cup of Norwegian egg coffee was time well spent.

She was preceded in death by all of her siblings, Randy, Oren, Lorene and Irving Christopherson, Evelyn Boe, Maxine Evenson and Mary Lou Wisted.

Ellen Ann is survived by her husband of 59 years, Les Dehlin of Alexandria; son, Michael Dehlin of Alexandria; and four daughters, Cam Dehlin of Minneapolis, Carol Hanson (Kevin) of Alexandria, Maren Buching (Torsten) of Leipzig, Germany, and Bonnie Wensloff (Tracey) of Roseau. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Laine and Carly Hanson, Christine and Micaela Buching, Katherine, Daniel and Rebecca Wensloff; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Ellen Ann’s life was held Wednesday, July 25 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria with the Rev. Marilee Bergerson officiating. Interment was at Kinkead Cemetery.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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