Ellen Burslie, age 97, of McIntosh, MN, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 8th, unexpectedly while enjoying a Schow family Super Bowl party at her daughter’s home, rural McIntosh. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21st, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in McIntosh with the Rev. Jerry Moan officiating. Interment will be in Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held from Noon until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (21st) at the church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of McIntosh and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Ellen was born June 15th, 1928, to parents Joseph and Edella (Flermoen) Hedman. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Gosen/Our Savior’s Church in McIntosh. She grew up in rural McIntosh and graduated with the class of 1946.

Ellen was employed by Ottertail Power Company after graduation. She also waitressed at the McIntosh Café where she served a handsome young man who would become her soulmate, Birdean Burslie.

Birdean and Ellen were married December 31,1948 at Gosen church. They made their home in McIntosh where they raised six kids (Craig, Karen, James, Mary, Nancy, Blake) and ran two businesses. Burslie Chevrolet Garage and Big “A” Auto Parts were a family affair. Everyone had a job to do. A common motto in the family was, “a family that works together, stays together.”

Ellen was bookkeeper for the family businesses. Her detailed work was acknowledged by Chevrolet earning her awards and gifts. (A lot of Crystal, now cherished by family.)

Along with travels to Rome, Bahamas, Chicago, New York, and Germany, Birdean and Ellen also enjoyed camping and fishing. Their good friends Harold and Adella Thompson would often accompany them.

Ellen was an active member at our Saviors Lutheran Church. She participated in the quilting club, Ladies Aid, Circle groups and teaching Sunday School. Her Bible is a testimony of her faith with its markings, notes and highlights of her favorite Bible verses.

Ellen was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Burslie Chevrolet Bowling team.

Ellen’s passion was quilting! She found great joy in making quilts for family, friends and the needy. She kept a photo album of the 100+ quilts she had made and shared it with many. Her family treasures these homemade keepsakes, made with a Mommas love.

Scrabble, Bingo, playing cards, puzzles, coloring, the Vikings, MN Twins, and the Win-E-Mac sports were a few of Ellens favorites. But what she loved most was spending time with her family. She looked forward to the annual July 4th celebrations at the Schow farm where family came from far and wide to celebrate her birthday. “This could be her last” was a great motivator to get the family together each year. What a gift it was for all of us!

Grandchildren and great grandchildren brought Ellen so much happiness. She beamed with pride at the announcement of each new grandchild born. She did her best to keep up with all their birthdays, activities and sports. She especially enjoyed watching Kolten and Liam on the Win-E-Mac sports channel.

Ellen was always up for fun, no matter what her age! Like driving a mini tractor pulling unit built by the Schow’s at age 80. Or driving the ice racing car on Hedman Lake at age 90! Age was never a barrier to her having fun.

After losing her husband in 1993, the young widow at age 65 continued living on Riverside Avenue until Poplar Meadows was built in McIntosh. She was one of the first residents to occupy the beautiful facility. She loved her new place and was jokingly given the title “Mayor” of Poplar Meadows.

Upon needing more care, Ellen moved to Pioneer Home in Erskine and eventually made it back home to McIntosh Senior Living. Every facility welcomed her warmly and appreciated her caring nature towards all the residents. The staff at MSL became like family to Ellen, and she loved them dearly.

Ellen is survived by her children, Craig (Rosann) Burslie of Erskine, Karen (Arlen) Johnson of Fort Myers, FL, Mary (Dan) Schow of McIntosh, Nancy (Scott) Elmquist of Cokato, MN , Blake (Doris) of Orlando, FL.

Grandchildren: Chris (Cherry) Burslie, Jeni (Matt) Chandler, Wendi (Ken) Feyo, Cheri (Omar) Alhegelan, Matt (Ashley) Schow, Kristi (Chris) Grettum, Ryan (Olivia) Schow, Tyler (Amanda) Schow, Amy (Eric) Hartsoch, Eric (April) Elmquist, Seth (Nicole) Elmquist, Emily (Paul) Baker, Mara (Quintin) Underwood, Sara Burslie, Jason Burslie, Brandon Burslie, and Katrina Burslie.

Great Grandchildren: Elizabeth, Haley, Chase, Charlie, Brandie, Dylan, Addison, Emery, Liam, Bridget, Holly, Spencer, Dunia, Kolten, Liam, Gunner, Grayson, Tenley, Koen, Wyatt, Evie, Gideon, Cannon, Peyton, Piper, Ben, Jacob, Michael, Ellery, Rylea, Kezia, Madi, Myles, Mack, Mallarie, Emma; Sister-in-Law; Carole Burslie; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; Birdean, son; James (Jimbo), grandson; David Elmquist, granddaughter; Casi Jolly. Siblings; Jaynes (Ruth) Hedman, MaryAnn (Don) Simonson, Donald Hedman

The family wishes to thank McIntosh Senior Living for their loving care provided to our mom. She loved all of you as family.