Ellen M. “Ellie” Anderson

Ellen M. “Ellie” Anderson, 81 Joice, passed away Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 25, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Joice with Pastor Bill Peters officiating. Inurnment will be in Concordia Cemetery, rural Joice. Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 24, from 5-7 p.m. at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
Ellen Marie (Haroldson) Anderson was born Jan. 4, 1936 in Joice, to parents Selmer and Evelyn (Gilbertson) Haroldson. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church, Joice, and graduated from Joice High School in 1954.
On Nov. 21, 1954 Ellie was united in marriage with Marlin “Marlie” Anderson, also at Bethany Lutheran. The couple made their home in Joice, where they raised their three children.
Ellie was proud of her hometown spending many years as the Joice librarian, planning holiday and summer activities at the library, promoting Think Joice Days, and maintaining an active presence in her church. She was also employed at Deluxe Products for a short time and later worked for Winnebago County Public Health for 22 years.
In her free time, Ellie enjoyed reading, golfing at Rice Lake Country Club, and fishing up North. Most importantly, she loved spending time with her friends and family, cherishing phone calls and visits, and following her grandchildren’s sporting events.
Survivors include her three children: Marla (Bill) Seda, Traer; Deb (Buzz) Wirt, New Prague, Minn.; and Michael Anderson, Spencer; six grandchildren: Ben (Natalie) Wirt, Randie Wirt, Joe Wirt (fiancée Brittany Hauser), Mark Seda, Nora (Joe) Krieger, and Brian Seda; two great-granddaughters: Ellie Wirt and Rowan Wirt; brother, Acey (Bonnie) Haroldson, Urbandale; brothers- and sisters-in-law on Marlin’s side: Dean (June) Anderson, Donald (Donna) Anderson, and Norrie (Betty) Anderson; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Ellie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marlin, in 2008; sister, Lorna Paulson; and brother, Sidney Haroldson.