Ellen E. Thorud Obituary (1917 - 2013)

Ellen Esther Thorud, 96, of Eau Claire, formerly of Menomonie, Connorsville, and Cadott passed away Friday, January 25, 2013 at the Syverson Lutheran Home in Eau Claire, Wis. She was born Dec. 17, 1917 in Caryville, Wis. to Frederick and Helena (Sell) Pagenkopf. In 1936, she married Paul Thorud in Menomonie, Wis. and lived there for many years. The couple then settled on a small dairy farm near Connorsville, Wis., and she worked at Doboy in New Richmond, Wis. She later moved to Cadott, Wis. to care for her mother and worked as a teacher's aide for the Cadott public schools. She retired in Eau Claire, Wis., where she lived for many years near her beloved siblings and other close relatives and friends. Until her later years Ellen enjoyed travelling throughout the United States and western Canada with her siblings, children, and close friends and spent many winter months in Apache Junction, Ariz. with family and friends. She was an avid crocheter and made beautiful quilts for her children, grandchildren, and other loved ones. She provided childcare to several Eau Claire-area families and was a caregiver to her mother, daughter, and son-in-law in their times of need. Ellen loved to read and do the daily crossword puzzle. She was a truly generous soul, always looking for a way to help others. She also loved to laugh and will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor. She will be dearly missed. Ellen is survived by daughter, Marlene (Gene) Flynn-Harnack of Rochester, Minn. and grandsons Thomas Flynn and Steven (Denise) Flynn of Rochester, Minn. and Brian (Imogene) Flynn of Broomfield, Colo. and granddaughter-in-law Denise (Cheranko) Flynn of Rochester, Minn.; son Henry (Georgia) Thorud of La Habra, Calif., former daughter-in-law, Eva Hawley of Amery, Wis., and grandsons Bruce Thorud and Barry Thorud of Amery, Wis.; son-in-law Paul (Nancy Sundvall) Lange of Cumberland, Wis. and grandsons Nicholas (Leslie) Lange of Menomonie, Wis. and Anthony Lange of Easley, S.C. and granddaughter Michelle (Roger Schwenke) Lange of Alameda, Calif.; sisters Hazel Johnson of Eleva, Wis. and Betty Sarrett of Clinton, Wash.; and brother Norman (Edna) Pagenkopf of Eau Claire, Wis.; 18 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; great nieces; great nephews; and many other close relatives. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; husband Paul (1970); sisters, Erna Elstran and Edna Thomas; daughter, Nancy Paula Lange (1988); son-in-law Robert Flynn (1983); and grandson Michael Flynn (2009). A private memorial service will be held in the spring in Dunn County, Wis. Interment will be at the Little Elk Creek Cemetery, Dunn Township, Dunn County. To express condolences online, visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com.