Ella K. Ganssle

Ella K. Ganssle, age 92 of Grand Forks formerly of St. Thomas, ND passed away Friday, July 6, 2012 at the 4000 Valley Square, Woodside Village, Grand Forks. Ella K. Dietrich was born March 10, 1920 on the family farm in Pembina County, ND the daughter of the late Henry and Ella (Steinke) Dietrich. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, rural St. Thomas and attended the Kelly School near St. Thomas. Ella was united in marriage to C. Garfield Ganssle on September 4, 1937 in Grand Forks, ND. The couple lived and farmed near St. Thomas until moving to Grafton in 1979. Garfield passed away on February 21, 1982. Ella continued to make her home in Grafton until 2007 when she moved to Parkwood Place in Grand Forks. She later moved to Maple View and Woodside Village at Valley Memorial Home. Ella was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. She was a devout Christian and loved her Lord and Savior. She especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved to bake and work with the women at St. Paul's Church. She is survived by her children: Donald (Sharon) Ganssle, St. Thomas, ND; Frederick (Linda) Ganssle, St. Thomas, ND; Deanna (Jerry) Loreth, Breckenridge, MN; Marlys (Marvin) Stark, Cavalier, ND; nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren, sisters-in-law: Lillian Dietrich, Cedarburg, WI and Evie Dietrich, Crystal, ND. Several nieces and nephews also survive. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings: Henry, Barbara Vollrath, Albert, Leonard, Johnnie, George, Violet Lesher, Rudolph, Marvin, Clara, Louis, Charles, Anna Hartje, Elaine Riendeau, Lillian Gibney and Clarence and grandson Shane Ganssle.