Ella Anderson

Ella Anderson went to be with her Heavenly Father on Friday, April 28, 2023, at Countryside Inn Assisted Living in Rosholt, SD, at the age of 96.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 4, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley.  Pastor Dan Haukos and Fr. John Paul Knopik will be the celebrants. Music will be provided by Carmen Hills, Sue Sykora, Stacey Borgheiinck, Kelsey Holtz, Cindy Smart, and Ryan Homan.

The service will be livestreamed on the Eggers Funeral Home Facebook page.

Burial will be in the Beardsley Community Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Kelli Anderson, Trisha Anderson, Jenny Lundquist, Ceasar Gonzalez, Brooke Rogness, Morgan Swank, Erin Klemm, Leah Hendricks, Kati Nelson, Sara McKinley, Dawn and Darin Gibson, and Michael and Trisha Dusing. Active pallbearers will be Kris Anderson, Ben Anderson, Daniel Lundquist, Josh Spitzer, Kevin Rogness, Owen Anderson, Nate Anderson, Kelly Klemm, Derek Hendricks, and Kyle McKinley.

Ella Viola (Michelsen) Anderson was born on August 26, 1926, on the shores of Big Stone Lake, Foster Township, Minnesota (which Ella always referred to as "down home") to Lars and Caroline (Ericksteen) Michelsen. She was baptized and confirmed at Holden Lutheran Church in rural Beardsley, MN. She attended Sunnyside Country School through eighth grade and attended grades 9-12 at the Ortonville High School, graduating with the Class of 1944. Ella's strong work ethic started by helping herd cattle from the pasture and feeding a variety of farm animals.

On September 12, 1944, Ella was united in marriage to Lawrence Anderson. To this union, they were blessed with four children, Wayne, Jeanne, David and Sue. Ella was a dedicated member of the United Methodist Church in Beardsley. She was very deserving of the Service of Honor award she received on May 7, 2017.

Lawrence and Ella resided at a farm north of Beardsley where they raised livestock and farmed. They took great pride in their farmplace where Ella was an extraordinary homemaker, loving her role as a farmwife. Every summer, she grew a bountiful garden of produce and many beautiful flowers. Ella was a phenomenal cook and entertainer. She thoroughly enjoyed hosting others. One of Ella's many talents was writing. She often wrote poems and readings for special events, as well as being a regular contributor to the Beardsley News in local newspapers. Ella was also a gifted artist, creating many beautiful paintings throughout the years.

In later years, Lawrence and Ella wintered in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. There, they enjoyed the warmer weather and fellowship with many friends and visitors. After Lawrence passed in 2002, she continued to live on and care for the farm until moving into town in 2010.

Of all the things Ella cherished, family was her main priority. She loved hosting family dinners and attending her children and grandchildren's events. Her family was truly her pride and joy.

She is survived by her children: Wayne (Darlene) Anderson of Graceville, Jeanne (Jim) Dusing of Beardsley, David Anderson (Carla Hinnenkamp) of St. Cloud, and Sue (Donny) Sykora of Browns Valley. Grandchildren: Kris (Kelli) Anderson, Ben (Trisha) Anderson, Jenny (Daniel) Lundquist, Josh Spitzer (Ceasar Gonzalez), Brooke (Kevin) Rogness, Owen Anderson, Nathaniel Anderson (Morgan Swank), Erin (Kelly) Klemm, Leah (Derek) Hendricks, Kati Nelson, and Sara (Kyle) McKinley; step grandchildren Dawn (Darin) Gibson and Michael (Trisha) Dusing; 24 great-grandchildren; 4 step great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law Dorothy Moe of Two Harbors.

She was welcomed into Heaven by her husband, Lawrence, of 58 years; her parents Lars and Caroline Michelsen; in-laws Arvid and Idella Anderson; brothers Lloyd Michelsen and Ed (Shirley) Michelsen; sister Goldie (Walter) Arndt; brothers-in-law Tim Boyle and Carl Moe; and son-in-law Bob Spitzer.

Ella's family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the amazing staff at CSI for the wonderful care given throughout the last four years, as Ella would often say, "I am very well cared for!" We will forever be grateful for the loving, compassionate care she received.