Miss Ellie



Miss Ellie



Most of the week has been spent with my friends the Taylor's as their mom, Eleanor or as we always called her, Miss Ellie had a severe stroke last Friday evening.  Having had minor strokes in the past, this one was something she could not recover from as she passed away early Thursday morning.  Both Ellie and her late husband Earl Taylor have been an important part of my life here in Minnesota.  The story has been told many times, my friendship first with Mark Taylor that started 36 years ago when we worked next to each other in Brooklyn Center after I had moved to Minnesota for a job.  Our relationship grew to include his entire family, Jack, Linda, Earl, and Ellie.  When you find something good in life it's always wise to grab onto it and that I did.  Over the years they became my family away from home.  Whether it was fishing, hunting, special events like reunions, weddings, birthday's, or just an excuse to get together, my wife and I were always included.  Eleanor Taylor was a die hard Swede and the minute you entered their house it became quite apparent.  She had some of the coolest things including the top of her mother's wedding cake that had preserved itself for eternity.  That thing must have been over 90 years old.  Now, I am never sure where the term Miss Ellie cam from but my guess it was from that old television show, Dallas.  The matriarch of the Ewing's was Miss Ellie, and I suppose if it came from there it was definitely fitting. Those bright blue eyes and huge smile always directed her love towards 

Reunited

anyone who would receive it.  Being a Swede, she also never held much back and would often let you know what she really thought and sometimes it came as a surprise!  With bobby pins in her fine white hair she was an elegant lady for sure.  After Earl retired they found their paradise in Lindstrom, Minnesota where they bought a home on South Center Lake, a perfect spot to spend the rest of their lives together.  Along with the house on the lake, Lindstrom is probably the most Swedish based town in Minnesota, and actually has a sister city in Sweden called Tingsryd(http://www.lindstrom.mn.org) something Miss Ellie really took advantage of.  Both Ellie and Earl became fixtures in their community and am sure their legacy will live on forever.  Earl left us on November 1st, 2009.  It is kind of interesting as Earl served in WWII and wanted to have full military honors at his funeral.  Being cremated, Earl was interned at Fort Snelling National Cemetery until his love of his life could join him.  Now Ellie, she had other ideas and opted for a traditional burial in Lindstrom.  Earl was willing to wait and when the day came, he would join her at their final resting place, I always thought Earl was a romantic at heart.  So Monday we'll say our final goodbyes to Ellie as she joins Earl in their eternal life together.  Time marches on, a generation disappears and a new one takes it's place.  Thank you for being there for me, my life has been truly blessed by you and your family. Love you Miss Ellie.