Ellen Minnette

Ellen Minnette, 95 year old resident of Little Falls, MN died Sunday, May 30 at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls, MN. A Memorial Mass will be held Thursday, June 3 at 11:30 A.M. St. Mary's Catholic Church. Friends may call from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the church. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery in Bowlus, MN. Ellen was born September 24, 1914 in Swan River Township, Morrison County to the late Albert and Helen Gosiak. She grew up in Swan River Township near Bowlus, MN. Ellen attended District #9 country school in Swan River Township. At age 15 she went to St. Paul for more prep schooling and to work. Ellen then worked her way through college and graduated from the University of Minnesota. She then worked in Florida, Georgia, and Texas as a civilian worker. Ellen moved to Spencer, Iowa, in 1951 and worked for the State of Iowa in the Clay County Soil Conservation Office. She enjoyed working with the public. She noted that she was always too busy to "play". In 1969, Ellen received recognition from the United States Department of Agriculture for her exceptional dedication to the cause of soil and water conservation. She received nation-wide recognition in the Soil Conservation magazine for her work and dedication. Ellen was also an avid volunteer. She was an RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) volunteer for 20 years. During that time, she logged an impressive number of volunteer hours making telephone reassurance calls and visits to shut-ins, reading books for elementary classrooms, delivering Meals on Wheels and assisting with group mailings and special projects. Her efforts earned her the Governor's Volunteer Award from Iowa Governor Thomas J. Vilsack in 2001. As an active church member and volunteer, Ellen belonged to Sacred Heart Church in Spencer, Iowa and did various projects for the church. She was also a prayer partner with the Sacred Heart School students for many years. Left to cherish her memory are her many nieces, nephews and her friends at the Lutheran Care Center. Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, two infant siblings as well as. Gosiak, Angeline Gosiak, Cecelia Millette, Rosana Murr, Ruth Zehowski, Helen Maciej, John Gosiak, Lloyd Gosiak and Frances Gosiak. Arrangements are with the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN.