Marie Ellestad

Marie L. Ellestad, age 76, of Pillager, passed away at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples, on January 17, 2012. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 21, at 11:00 AM, at the Motley Free Methodist Church with Pastor Jim Johnson officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 20 from 4-6 PM, at the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples, and one hour prior to the service on January 21, at the church. Burial will take place at the Wildwood Cemetery in Pillager.

Marie was born on March 4, 1935, in Pine River, MN, to Daniel and Alice (Erickson) Knapper. She attended country school in Leader, graduating from the 8th grade. At age 19, Marie went back to school and received her GED. She worked as a nurse's aid and at Ruttger's Resort, until she married Earl Ellestad in 1963. They moved to Brainerd , for a time, where Earl worked for Potlatch, but settled in Pillager. She attended services at the Assembly of God Church in Pillager and at the Motley Free Methodist church in Motley. Church and family were most important to Marie. She taught Sunday School and was active in many church groups. She loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Marie is survived by her daughters, Elaine (Doug) DeGeest of Motley, Patti (Todd) Jenkins of Pillager, and Kathy (Brandon) Dobson of Pillager; grandchildren, Matthew, Becki, Katrina, Krista, Jacob, and Alainna; siblings, Alice (Carl) Granby, Chuck (Margaret) Knapper, and Albert (JoAnn) Knapper; in-laws, Alvina Knapper, Shirley Knapper, and Pat Knapper; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; her parents; granddaughters, Hannah Noel and Addison Hannah; brothers, Martin, George, Ernie, Harold, Irvin; and twin brother, Marvin.