Ellen Patenaude

Ellen Theresa Fortier was born to Octave and Cecelia (Duffy) Fortier on April 17, 1934 in Crookston.  She attended St Joseph’s Academy graduating in 1952.  Upon her graduation, Ellen went to work at Riverview Hospital as a Nurse’s Aid for the next 30 years. Ellen was united in marriage to Robert D. Patenaude on October 24, 1953 in St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Crookston. The couple was blessed with 6 children.

Ellen was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Catholic Daughters of America, Quilters Guild, and the Red Hat Ladies.

She was the best mother and grandmother in the world. Ellen was an excellent quilter, avid Soap Opera watcher, chocolate lover, Dairy Queen’s best customer, a firm believer in dessert first, window waver, and she was always there to help her children.

Ellen is survived by her children; Daniel and (Chris), Perley, MN; Kathleen (John) Bressler, Grand Forks, ND; Karen Sherf (Mike Beard) Bemidji, MN; David (Jill), Maple Grove, MN; Karla (Craig) Flisk, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Holly (Craig) Nowak, Ashley, Andrew, Aryn Sherf; Nick, Lucas, Malia, Marissa, and Michael Patenaude; sisters, Alice Cummings, Warroad, Jean Hanson, Crookston; Emily Meyers, Fargo, ND; and brother, Patrick Fortier, Dilworth, MN.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Robert of 53 years (2006); son, Douglas (2013); and siblings; AnnaMae, Bernard, Rosemary, and Robert.