Ellen Sandell

THOMPSON - Ellen Sandell, age 95 of Thompson, recently residing in Forest City, died Friday, August 5, 2011 at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson with Pastor Mark Decker officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Thompson. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at Petersen Lund Funeral Home 505 North Clark Street in Forest City and will continue an hour prior to service at the church.

Ellen Sandell was born on a farm in Linden Township, Winnebago County, Iowa on December 25, 1915, the daughter of William H. and Emma (Jensen) Olson. She received her education at Combs County School west of Thompson, Iowa.
She was united in marriage to Leonard Sandell on October 8, 1934 in Estherville, Iowa. The couple farmed in the Thompson area and were blessed with two boys, Ronald and Roger.
Ellen liked working in her garden and raising chickens. She began working at the Deluxe Factory in Lake Mills in 1962. While working there she took up bowling and enjoyed her membership in the Deluxe Ladies Bowling League. She retired from Deluxe in 1981.
Ellen was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson and very active in Circle and Bethany Ladies Aid. In 1993 she moved to an apartment in Forest City and enjoyed this change in her life. In 2002 she moved to Forest Plaza Assisted Living.
Ellen is survived by her two sons, Ronald and his wife Sue of Bemidji, Minnesota and Roger of West St. Paul, Minnesota, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters, Stella and Irene and four brothers, William Junior, Emery, Annel and Leonard (Ole).