Ernestine Troftgruben

Ernestine Troftgruben, age 100, of Dickinson and formerly of Edinburg transitioned to new life on July 22, 2022 at St. Luke’s Home.

Harriett Ernestine Wellman was born in Madison, SD on November 26, 1921, the third child and only daughter of the late Charles E. and Rosa (Kukuk) Wellman.  She lived with her family on the farm and attended rural schools near Colman, SD before moving with her family to Madison, SD in seventh grade.  She went on to travel with her parents in their ministry before settling with them in Newton, KS where she worked at the Imperial Laundry for over ten years.  She was united in marriage to Lenes Troftgruben on April 19, 1953, in Edinburg, ND.

Ernestine’s greatest achievement was fulfilling her dream of having children of whom she thought the world.  She was a hard working and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She will be dearly missed by her family.  She was a member of and church secretary for Church of God of the Firstborn. Her unfailing faith and love for the Lord were an inspiration and enabled her to deal with life’s adversities.

Ernestine leaves to cherish her memories her children:  Rosalind (Barry) Lee, Humble, TX; Denis (Tami) Troftgruben, Rapid City, SD; four grandchildren: Ryan (Sonya) Lee, Nathan (Jennifer) Lee, and Kevin (Sara) Lee all of Humble, TX, Chad (Stephenie) Troftgruben, Tacoma, WA; great grandchildren: Micah, Sophie, Lydia, Evelyn, and twins Celia and Eleanor Lee all of Humble, TX; and Halfdan Troftgruben of Tacoma, WA.  Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lenes of 46 years on June 22, 1999; and her brothers: Carroll (Lil/Grace), Walter (Gert), and Vere (Clara Butell) Wellman.

Funeral service will be Friday, July 29, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Tollefson Funeral Home, Park River.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Interment will be at Odalen Lutheran Cemetery, rural Edinburg.