Ellen Martin

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 16, 2010 at the West Side Laestadian Lutheran Church in Menahga, MN.VISITATION : 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 15, 2010 at the West Side Laestadian Lutheran Church in Menahga, MN and for one hour prior to services on Monday.INTERMENT : Will be at Balmi Cemetery near Wolf Lake, MNSURVIVORS : Her six daughters: Marie (Donald) Kulla of Brush Prairie, WA, Delores "Dolly" (John) Matson of Brush Prairie, WA, Gladys (Quentin) Ruonavaara of Brainerd, MN, Carolyn and Joyce Martin of Menahga, MN, Naomi (Ronald) Honga of Menahga; 3 sons: John (Esther) Martin of Wolf Lake, MN, Carl (Liisa) Martin of Snohomish, WA, and Michael (Gladys) Martin of Sebeka, MN; 71 beloved grandchildren; 299 great grandchildren; 47 great great grandchildren; 2 sister-in-laws: Laura Wittenberg of Brainerd, MN and Lucille Conboy of Sandstone, MN; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends and a host of brothers and sisters in faith. ELLEN ELVIRA MARTIN November 1, 1911 " August 11, 2010Ellen Elvira (Wittenberg) Martin was born on November 1, 1911 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Carl and Maria (Ylen) Wittenberg. She attended Harrison Elementary School, Lincoln Junior High, and North High School in Minneapolis. On July 4, 1928, Ellen was united in marriage to William John Martin at the home of her parents in Minneapolis. Following their marriage, Ellen joined her husband in Finlayson, Minnesota where they farmed. The great depression prevailed in the early years of their marriage, bringing many temporal struggles. Ellen often reflected back to their first years together and recalled that God never failed to provide for their family"s needs. This union was blessed with ten children. Ellen was the fifth of nine children born and raised in the city, yet she learned how to milk cows and enjoyed the rigors of farm life. To meet the needs of their growing family, Ellen with her husband William, tended the livestock and worked in the fields raising hay and other crops. Ellen was a devoted wife and mother. Their home was filled with love and warmth. She will always be remembered for her delicious homemade breads and pies. Each spring she looked forward to having a large vegetable garden. From the abundance of the produce, she preserved hundreds of quarts of vegetables and fruit to feed their family. In 1968, they sold their farm and moved to Minneapolis. They lived there until William"s retirement in 1975 when they moved to Menahga, Minnesota to build their retirement home. Ellen and William were blessed with 67 years of marriage before William"s death in March of 1996. Ellen quit school when she and William got engaged and they were married when she was 16. When she was seventy-seven, she decided to fulfill her dream of obtaining her GED. Her husband did likewise, and they graduated together from Wadena Technical College in May of 1989. Their wish was to encourage their grandchildren to value their education. She enjoyed doing many things with her hands: cooking, baking, patching, embroidery, and crocheting. At age 95, she crocheted an afghan for her eldest daughter"s 75th birthday, and continued at age 96 to make another to give to her first granddaughter, whom she always called "her number one". She continued with 4 more afghans, the last one nearing completion, and many dishcloths that she gave to many. She also enjoyed reading and working word-search puzzles. Ellen dedicated her life to her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren whom she loved dearly with all her heart. Ellen was a member of the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Menahga. Ellen will be lovingly remembered by her six daughters: Marie (Donald) Kulla of Brush Prairie, WA, Delores "Dolly" (John) Matson of Brush Prairie, WA, Gladys (Quentin) Ruonavaara of Brainerd, MN, Carolyn and Joyce Martin of Menahga, MN, Naomi (Ronald) Honga of Menahga; 3 sons: John (Esther) Martin of Wolf Lake, MN, Carl (Liisa) Martin of Snohomish, WA, and Michael (Gladys) Martin of Sebeka, MN; 71 beloved grandchildren; 299 great grandchildren; 47 great great grandchildren; 2 sister-in-laws: Laura Wittenberg of Brainerd, MN and Lucille Conboy of Sandstone, MN; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends and a host of brothers and sisters in faith. Preceding Ellen in death were her parents, Carl and Maria Wittenberg; her husband, William; infant son, David; 1 grandson; 3 great grandchildren; 2 sisters: Sigrid Byington and Gladys Paana; 6 brothers: August, Carl, Peter, Arvid, John and infant brother, Joseph Wittenberg. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 16, 2010 at the West Side Laestadian Lutheran Church in Menahga with Jon Bloomquist officiating. Organist will be Jason Ruonavaara. Ellen"s grandchildren will sing: There Are Treasures For Children In Heaven Above." Congregational hymns will be "My Eternal Home is Heaven" and "You Are My Savior, Jesus Christ." Casketbearers will be: Martin Kulla, Brian Martin, Walter Matson, Kevin Ruonavaara, Aric Martin, Aaron Martin, and Matthew Honga. Honorary Casketbearers will be: Donald Kulla, John Martin, John Matson, Quentin Ruonavaara,, Carl Martin, Michael Martin, and Ronald Honga. Interment will be made in Balmi Cemetery near Wolf Lake, MN.