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- April 7, 2008
Salm, Ellen Albertina Mattson
Ellen Albertina Mattson Salm peacefully passed away on April 5, 2008, surrounded by all of her children and many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ellen, Ma, Grandma, Great-Grandma, was born May 9, 1916, to Swedish immigrants, Andrew and Martha Mattson in Wrenshall, Minn. Ellen was the 10th of 13 children and was dearly loved and treasured. Ellen, a wonderful storyteller, loved to talk of her childhood days on the farm with her large family. Ellen was very bright and a model student, graduating from high school at the age of 16 at the top of her class. After the passing of her mother, Ellen cared for her father's household before entering nursing school. She graduated from the West Suburban Hospital School of Nursing, Elmhurst, Ill., in 1941, and took her first job as a private nurse, spending time in Appleton, Wis. It was here she met her beloved husband, Gilbert. The two were married on Jan. 15, 1942. Gilbert and Ellen had 12 children between 1942 and 1960. Ellen treasured Gillie, who was her best friend and the love of her life. The two farmed in Appleton, Stephensville and De Pere, selling their last farm on the banks of the Fox River in 1976. Ellen and Gilbert had many adventures in their retirement years including fishing trips to Canada, a caravanning trip to Alaska and ten winters in Sun City, Ariz. Through the years, they welcomed 39 grandchildren and were blessed with 48 great-grandchildren. In 1990, Ellen and Gilbert moved back to De Pere where they were lovingly cared for by their children. Gilbert preceded Ellen in death on Feb. 7, 2003. Ellen's parents, eleven of her siblings, son, David (1950); granddaughter, Jennifer (1975); and daughter-in-law, Carol (2004); also preceded her in death.
Ellen is survived by her sons, Nicholas (Jeanette), Gilbert (Carole), Joseph (Marcia), Peter, Victor (Lin), Christopher (Susan), Mark (Brenda), and Anthony; daughters, Anne (Larry) Headrick, Ellen (Larry) Vogels and Rosemarie (Bob) Westbury and their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, David (Charlotte) Mattson; in-laws, Betty Salm , Marie Heinritz and Clara and Joe Sprangers; as well as over 100 nieces and nephews.
Ellen was a delightfully happy woman and a patient, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Ma loved her family and especially enjoyed the laughter and fun of family get togethers. Ellen's bright blue eyes had a wonderful twinkle that conveyed her happiness throughout life. She was an avid reader and enjoyed reading aloud. She was an excellent Scrabble and cribbage player and played both games with her children and grandchildren, even in her final days. Ellen inspired all of us through her example of hard work, devotion to her family and love and reverence for God. Ellen was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church where she remained faithful and devoted to Christ, her Savior, unto death.
Friends may call on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 305 N. Tenth Street, De Pere, WI. The Rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will continue after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Family, corner of Lourdes Ave. and Suburban Drive, De Pere, until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Tim Shillcox O.Praem officiating. Burial will take place in St. Patrick Cemetery Stephensville.
Her family especially wants to thank Ellen's special friend, Julie Steffen, who cared for her in her final years and her caregivers at the Renaissance Assisted Living Center in De Pere.
Please go to www.ryanfh.com to express online condolences to the family.
The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials be given to Our Lady of Lourdes School.
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1916 - 2008 (91 years)
