Helen Marie Ellwein

Helen M. Ellwein, 90, Bismarck, died January 30, 2015, at CHI St. Alexius Health, Bismarck. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, February 4, at Church of the Ascension, Bismarck, with Rev. Msgr. Jim Braaten officiating. Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Tuesday, February 3, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a vigil service will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Helen Marie was born May 1, 1924, at Dickinson, ND, the daughter of Roy and Mary Ann Kipp Koch. She graduated from Mandan High School in 1942 and received three years of nurse's training at St. Alexius School of Nursing. She worked for many years as an ob/gyn nurse at Mid Dakota Clinic. Helen married her high school sweetheart, Frank Ellwein, on March 16, 1946, in Bismarck, ND, and they were together 46 years before his death in 1992. She was an avid reader, loved working on crossword and jigsaw puzzles; enjoyed cross-stitching and crocheting, and had given many of her projects to all of her family members. Helen was a member of the Sunday Singles and a past-member of the Good Neighbor Club. She loved family and especially enjoyed family holiday gatherings. Helen and Frank and their family spent many happy years at their lake cabin at Lake Tschida. The cabin was passed down to the Ahneman family who are now continuing the tradition. Helen is survived by her children, LeighAnn Robert Gregoire, Laurel Mike Ahneman, and Janice Terry Daffinrud, all of Bismarck; her six grandchildren, Jon Keri Ahneman, Bismarck, Ben Erin Ahneman, Fargo, Sara Mike Hilden, Bismarck, Bridget Marshall James, Salt Lake City, UT, Eric Courtney Daffinrud, Littleton, NH, Greg Apearlella Daffinrud, Salt Lake City, UT, and Nicole Dave Hoekstra, Bismarck; 18 great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Armine Dee, Lodi, CA; and many nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; five brothers, Joe, Val, Ed, Lawrence, and Leonard Koch; and five sisters, Tillie, Betty, Bertha, Frances, Eleanor. Helen was dearly loved by family and friends and will be deeply missed.

Helen Marie Ellwein

May 1, 1924 - January 30, 2015