Ellen Balstad

Ellen Balstad, 90, of Hatton, ND passed away Friday, September 19, 2014 at Hatton Prairie Village in Hatton. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 2:00pm at Zoar Lutheran Church in Hatton. A visitation will be held Tuesday, September 23, 2014 from 5:00 to 7:00pm with a 7:00pm prayer service at Hatton Prairie Village in Hatton.

Ellen Sophie Lykken was born December 31, 1923 in rural Hatton, ND, the daughter of Ingvald and Stina (Dahl) Lykken. She grew up in the Hatton area and attended country school. On July 19, 1942, she was united in marriage to Martin Balstad in Northwood, ND. They lived in Mayville and Portland before making their home in Hatton. Martin died on January 15, 2003. Ellen remained in their home until March, 2013 when she moved into Hatton Prairie Village.

Ellen worked at the Tri-County Nursing Home in Hatton for 31 years before retiring to care for her husband. She was a member of Zoar Free Lutheran Church, Zoar Ladies Aid, and TCH Auxillary. She enjoyed flower gardening, cooking, baking, and caring for her home and family. Her greatest joy was her family; her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was even able to spend time with her first great-great-grandchild. She was a hardworking, kind, and caring woman loved by so many and known to her family as "Grandma Honey". She will be so greatly missed.

Ellen is survived by one son, Marlin (Diane) Balstad of Hatton, ND, 4 daughters: Loretta (John) Sherva, Northwood, ND, Linda (Denny) Gabriel, Northwood, ND, Sue (Darold) Mattern, Fargo, ND, and Julie (Terry) McNea, Hatton, ND, 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild, 1 sister: Cora Huus, Northwood, ND, 2 sisters-in-law: Delores Mastrud, Hatton, ND and Carol Bovaird, Grand Forks, ND, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Martin, a child in infancy, brothers Elmer and Kenneth, Sister Clenora Wagnon, grandson Kevin Sherva, and son-in-law Jerald Zimprich.