Ethel Evelina Natalia Larson was born on June 19, 1911, in Hamlin Township, rural Dawson, to Carl and Anna (Peterson) Larson. She was baptized on July 5, 1912, and confirmed on June 6, 1926, at Providence Valley Lutheran Church, rural Dawson. She attended country school in District's #59 and #99.
On March 21, 1934, she was united in marriage to Arnold M. Ellefson at Canby, MN. To this union, 6 sons were born: Virgil, Roger, Merlin, Darrel, Kenneth, and Walter. They lived in Providence Twp. before moving to Riverside Twp. After Arnold's death on December 2, 1975, Ethel remained on the farm until she moved to Riverside Apartments in Dawson. In May of 1997, she moved to the Johnson Memorial Home, and remained there until her death on Wednesday, December 15, 1999, at the age of 88.
She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and the Anna Circle of the Ladies Aid and a member of the VFW Auxiliary.
Ethel enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, other crafts, and flower gardening. She also enjoyed the natural wildlife on her rides around Lac Qui Parle Lake. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were also very important to her.
She is survived by her sons: Virgil (Sandra), Roger (Anne), Merlin (Jane), Darrel (Linda M.), Kenneth (Linda K.), all of Dawson, and Walter (Dawn) of St. Louis Park; 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; sisters: Alice Ronneberg and Helen Larson of Dawson and Carol Oman of St. Louis Park; other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arnold; sister, Hazel Larson; brothers: Arthur, Arvid, Walter, Raymond, Leonard, and Donald; daughter-in-law, Ardis Ellefson; and grandson, Troy Ellefson.