Ellen M. Dahlen

IDEAL -- Ellen M. Dahlen, 85, of Ideal, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. Ellen Ottelin was born June 2, 1918, in Elba, Minn., to Arnie and Ida (Niemala) Ottelin. She grew up and graduated high school in Brainerd. She was united in marriage to Gordon Dahlen on March 15, 1940, in Minneapolis, where they subsequently raised their family. They moved to the Crosslake area following retirement. Ellen was widowed 11 months ago after 62 years of marriage. She was a member of the Sons of Norway, and recently received her 50-year pin from Eastern Star. She enjoyed needlework, and was keenly interested in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Ellen was a determined optimist who had great fun with life.

Ellen will be missed by her daughters Sandra (Gary) Borncamp and Cynthia Raichert, both of Grand Rapids, Mich.; her sons Kurt (Marilyn) Dahlen of Longville, Keith (Iris) Dahlen of Eagan, and Kent Dahlen of Grand Rapids, Mich.; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a daughter-in-law Janice Dahlen.

Funeral services will be Thursday, July 3, 1 p.m. at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Crosslake. Friends may call at the funeral chapel for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd. In lieu of flowers, Ellen's family requests memorials to the American Heart Association. Arrangements are with Brenny Funeral Chapel of Crosslake.