Eleanor "Ellie" F. Nessel
April 30, 1929 ~ February 22, 2014
Ellie lived a full life for 84 years. On February 22, 2014, she began her eternal life with her Savior after a struggle with cancer. She was dearly loved by her husband Howie. They celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary December 18. Family was very important to Ellie--each child, grandchild and great grandchild was very special. She and Howie had six kids; daughters, Lynn (Mark) Dornfeld, Joy (Pete) Edlund, Jean (Rick) Bearden, Kay (Ken) Boje, Dawn (Dominick) DeLuca; and son, Dan (Charmaine) Nessel; 19 grandchildren, Nathan (Shawna), Joy, Melissa, Janelle (Joe), Eric (Jen), Kyrsten, Peter, Alex (Meredith), Caili (Ryan), Camille, Tim, Luke, Mara, Phil, Amanda, Jason, Breanna, Cooper, and Bailey; 10 great grandchildren, Ethan, Eva, Ayla, Lincoln, Wyatt, Luke, Kayla, Winona, Madelyn, and Nicklas; brother, Chuck (Christita) Foster; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends. She loved her church; womens ministries, Bible Studies, intercessory prayer, befrienders and outreach, along with singing in the church choirs. She was a member of Christian Write, contributing devotions, poetry and church history. Ellie was also a member of the Linwood Senior Center and Red Hatters. She often participated in Relay for Life. Ellie was a homemaker at heart but liked the jobs she held at Boy Scouts of America, St. Paul Technical College, and the St. Paul Police Department where she worked as an administrative assistant. After raising their family in St. Paul, Howie and Ellie made their home on Martin Lake in Stacy after retirement, where Ellie especially enjoyed hosting family and friends. She continued her love for helping people by volunteering at Fairview Lakes Hospital for over 15 years. Ellies zest for life was inspirational. Ellie is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ella (Monge) Foster, sisters, Luella Jarvis, and Marcella Hedlund, and her brother Bart Foster. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 PM Wednesday, February 26th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake. A Celebration of Ellies Life will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, February 27th at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 No. Shore Dr., Forest Lake with visitation beginning at 10 AM until time of service. Interment Elmhurst Cemetery, St. Paul. Memorials preferred to Faith Lutheran Church or American Cancer Society.
My condolences to Howie and family on the passing of Ellie. I enjoyed working with Ellie at the St. Paul Police Department. She was a kind, happy person who loved people and her job. She loved her family so much.
Sincerely, Virginia Baisley
Many of best memories of my life have been with Ellie and her family. Her life is such a great testimony to the Christian faith. May you all find comfort in the memories and love of her family and friends.
I’m sorry to hear of Ellie’s passing! My time with Ellie was spent working at Faiths rummage sales with her and Howie. Every spring and fall without fail they would come and help, sometimes accompanied by grandkids.😄 She always had a smile and a story to share! She will be missed by so many! You are all in my prayers.
Lovely memories of Ellie as a neighbor, friend and spiritual leader. Such a wonderfully HUGE heart – even with a large family of her own, she always made sure to ask about our girls. Favorite memory that I will treasure is her and Howie being our youngest daughter’s Baptism sponsors and being a part of her spiritual upbringing. (Oh and Leslie LOVED climbing the Nessel’s stairs in anticipation of a big smiley Halloween hug on trick or treat night!) You will be missed and forever remembered at our home, Ellie.
Dear Howie and Family,
My memories of Ellie are a phenomenal cook, a marvelous host and a sweet lady. It was such a blessing to know her.
We feel blessed to have the Nessels as our friends and neighbors.. With deepest sympathy.
Dear Howie and Family,
I found out about Ellie’s passing just today. I am recalling fond memories of the two of you Volunteering so faithfully for us at Fairview Medical Center in Wyoming. You cared about each other and your family and extended.love to the folks you encountered. Your courage and grace is a light for all to see. You have my deepest sympathy. Ellie will be missed by so very many. Prayers go out to all of you.
What a kind and generous person who will be missed by everyone at Faith and also at Reformation Lutheran Church in St. Paul, were she was also a member. I remember her daughter, Joy, being confirmed with my sister, Nancy Nordehn in St. Paul. I know that God received her with blessings and forgiveness. My love to all of her family who will keep precious memories alive forever.
Dear Howie and family,
I heard of Ellie’s death yesterday and want to let you know that our prayers are with you during this time of great loss. Both my husband Tom and I felt so blessed to be able to see both of you every once in a while at mainly church functions and to be able to have a conversation and also share memories of times you had at St. Luke’s and with my parents and all.
Both of you have truly been a faithful witness to our Lord and His love for all. May you at this time feel the strong arm of our God with you and the love and blessings of family and friends. Ellie will be deeply missed, but we also know Ellis is Victorious!!
I always loved how Eleanor had so much love and concern for her family and friends I will miss her always
Ellie was such a good contributor to our Befrienders Ministry. She helped so many people get through difficult times and her comments in our Befriender group help inspire all of us.