filled her days with baking, cooking, and visiting friends and neighbors. She resumed an early hobby of embroidery and was known for her beautifully stitched towels. Active until only a few months before her death, Ellen passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. Survivors include her daughter, Wanda Rockman of Okoboji; son, Gene (Nancy) Hassebroek of Spirit Lake; brother, Harm Kruse of Rapid City, SD; 3 grandsons and 5 great grandchildren; as well as many other relatives, and close family friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wayne; brother, Ben; and an infant son, Duane. Funeral services will be held on November 15, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Visitation will precede the service from 1-3 pm. A private burial will be held at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley at a later date.