Pearl V. Ellefson

Pearl V. Ellefson, 86 of Barnesville, Minnesota died Wednesday, June 25, 2008 in MeritCare Hospital, Fargo. Pearl, daughter of Oscar and Hilda (Grundset) Shulstad, was born July 15, 1921 on her family farm in Humboldt Township, Clay County, Minnesota. She attended country school and grew to womanhood in Humboldt Township and attended high school in Barnesville. She married Gordon A. Ellefson on June 21, 1939 in Rothsay, Minnesota. The couple made their home on the Ellefson family farm where they raised their family. Pearl worked for the Potato Flake Factory and Waller Hardware store both in Barnesville. She also wrote the Atherton News Letter for the Barnesville Record Review for many years. She and Gordon retired from farming in 1985. Gordon died in 2001. She continued to live on the farm until January of this year when she became a resident of the Barnesville Good Samaritan Society. She lived there until the time of her death. She was a long time member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and a member of WELCA. She also served as a Sunday school teacher and a Bible school teacher at Our Saviors. She delivered meals on wheels. Pearl was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary both of Barnesville. She was also a member of the Atherton Township Homemakers and a 4 " H leader in Wilkin County. Gordon and Pearl received the Valley Farmer and Homemaker Award of the Year and they were involved with the Wilkin County Historical Society. Pearl enjoyed bowling, shopping and her time at the lakes during the summer. She enjoyed picnics, family gatherings, and friends and family at coffee and lunch. Spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were some of her greatest joys. She is survived by four sons, David (Marion) of Bismarck, North Dakota, Delvin (Ann) of Starbuck, Minnesota, Arnold (Sharon) and Roger (Dianne) all of Barnesville; 18 grandchildren, Martin (Cyndi) Johnson of Redwood City, California, Ky Johnson of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Marshall Johnson of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, David (Leah) Ellefson Jr. of Hutchinson, Minnesota, DeLayne (Chris) Ellefson of Barnesville, Ted (Angela) Ellefson of Chanhassen, Minnesota, Brian Ellefson and Brent Ellefson both of Barnesville, Margie (Neil) Lindemann of Enderlin, North Dakota, Beckie Bottjer of Chandler, Arizona, Barbara (Jim) Niemeyer of Lawndale, Minnesota, Michelle Ellefson of Richman, Virginia, Deanna (Steve) Baukol of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Todd (Darla) Swedzinski of Montevideo, Minnesota, Brenda (Eric) Aarness of Stillwater, Minnesota, Kari (Nathan) Robideau of Barnesville, Melissa (Randy) Thune of Barnesville and Cindy Ellefson of Barnesville; 23 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Gordon (Maxine) Shulstad of Barnesville and Thomas (Ann Marie)Shulstad of Pelican Rapids; one sister-in-law Nevis Shulstad of Barnesville; one son-in-law Glen (Judy) Johnson of Meadowlakes, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Gordon; her daughter Gail Johnson; three brothers and three sisters, Orris, Harlan, Genieve Hudak, Gertrude Askegard, Norman and Esther Lammers. Funeral Service: Saturday, at 11:00 in Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Barnesville. Visitation: Today from 4 -8 with a prayer service at 7:00 in Dobmeier Funeral Home, Barnesville and two hours before the service, on Saturday, at the church. Interment: City Cemetery, Barnesville.