Ellen B.Truax, 80, of Esmond, ND, died Friday, April 20, 2012, at Trinity Medical Center in Minot.  Funeral services will be 11:00 AM,  Wednesday, April 25th, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Esmond, with Pastor Harold Ovre officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 to 7pm at the church. Casket bearers will her nephews:  Jay Adam,  Dr. Douglas Bengson,  Curtis Reierson,  Bob Reierson,  Craig Reierson,  Duane Reierson,  Scott Reierson,  Wade Reierson.  Music will be from Stephanie Van Beek, soloist with Jennifer Hagen, organist.  The Nelson Funeral Home of Maddock is in charge of the arrangements.

     Ellen B. Truax was born September 17, 1931, on a farm east of Esmond, ND, to Henry and Clarissa (Karlsbraaten) Reierson.  She attended grade school at the Isabel Township School, two years of high school at Minnewaukan and graduated from the Esmond High School in 1949.  Ellen attended the Interstate Business School in Fargo and then worked several months as a bookkeeper for Lake Chevrolet in Devils Lake and later at the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Esmond. She married Basil Truax on June 15th, 1952 in Esmond.  The couple lived in Jamestown for a short time before making Esmond their home. She served as treasurer for the city of Esmond and city auditor for 47 years.  Ellen was currently serving a term on the Esmond City Council.  Basil died August 24th, 2006. 

     Ellen was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, taught Sunday School, and had served as vice president, treasurer, secretary of stewardship of the WELCA.  She was also a member of the Esmond VFW Auxiliary.  Ellen enjoyed gardening,  cats,  quilting, knitting and nature.  Her special love was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She enjoyed attending their school activities over the years.

     Surviving are her children:  Jacqueline (Gerald) Dosch of Rugby,  Gregory (Wendy Kihne) Truax of Pembina, ND,  Janelle (Joe) Tuchscherer of Rugby and Tom Truax of Esmond;  4 grandchildren:  Tyler (Tonia) Dosch,  Jenna (Brian) Thompson,  Brady and Hunter Tuchscherer;  4 great-grandchildren:  Brekkyn and Brynlee Thompson,  Adison and Tallie Dosch;  3 sisters:  LaVonne (Bud) Bengson of Minot,  Dorothy (Al) Adams of Langdon and Mary (Dwight) Jelsing of Rugby. 

     She was preceded in death by her parents;  husband;  and a brother:  Merton Reierson.

 

Dear family,   I was so shocked when I received notification today (May 1) of your mother and sister's passing. (Ellen's sister, Mary, was a classmate of mine.) My folks were good friends with Ellen's parents through church activities.  I remember Ellen as one of those beautiful Reierson girls. And the thing I most remember, as a child, was every Sunday watching Ellen Reierson walk into church so I could see what style of shoe she was wearing. She had the most beautiful shoes. A silly thing, perhaps, but it was something that always caught my eye.  My brother and I just talked to Ellen a few months ago at Trinity in Esmond when we were up to Lou Lunde's funeral. It's really hard to believe she is no longer with us. It's hard to lose a parent, but you can be really proud of both your Mom and Dad. They were very special people, and I'm glad I knew them both.   Take care. - Ilene (Guttromson) Iverson-Olson        Pelican Rapids, MN