Ella Mae Anderson, 75 of Park Rapids, died Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 on her way to church.
She was born March 27, 1933 in Strathcona to Oscar and Edith (Crowder) Gilleshammer. As a young girl she moved with her family to Grafton, N.D. where she attended public school.
At the age of 19, she moved to Minneapolis and gained employment with various companies. On Sept. 12, 1958, Ella married Derrald "Slim" Anderson in Park Rapids.
In 1965, the couple moved to Park Rapids. Over the years, she worked for several area businesses. In 1990, she began working for the Hubbard County Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) in Park Rapids in a career that spanned over 14 years. In 1997, she was named as the DAC direct service staff person of the year. She retired on Feb. 27, 2004.
She was a member of the Church of Christ in Park Rapids. She was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and served as its first commander. She was an active participant in the DFL Party for numerous years and served as it's treasurer from 1983-84.
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She is survived by her three children, Edythe (Arthur) Paquette of Park Rapids, Rose (Jon) Ward of Park Rapids and Derrald (Patti) of Ham Lake; brother, Donald (Jacque) Gilleshammer of St. Michael; sister, Julie Ann Rector of Buckeye, Ariz; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two daughters, Patricia Dee and Vicki; and her grandson, Richard Taber.
Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with a prayer service at 6 p.m.
Funeral: 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 25 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with Pastor Scott Warne officiating. Norman Parks will be the song leader and musical selections will be "I'll Fly Away," "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" and "I Don't Know About Tomorrow." Her good friend, Valerie Larson will sing, "One Day At A Time."
Casket bearers: Ed Ransom, Kenneth Gilleshammer, Mark Lalli, Duane Gilleshammer, Ron Craig and Eric Mickelson. Honorary casket bearers: Don Hess, Glen Gilleshammer, Cecil Cordahl and Bob Breezee.
The Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary will serve as an honor guard.
Interment: Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids
