Ethel L. Brekke

Ethel L. Brekke, age 102 of Grafton, ND passed away on Thursday, August 19, 2010 at the Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton. Ethel L. Torblaa was born May 8, 1908 in Osage, IA the daughter of the late Leonard and Emma (Elthon) Torblaa. She moved with her family to Grafton, ND and graduated from High School in 1926. She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN and graduated Suma Cum Laude with a double major in Chemistry and Physic's in 1930. She taught rural school in Walsh County for five years. Ethel was united in marriage to Herbert Brekke on June 12, 1935 at the Grafton Lutheran church. The couple lived and farmed near Grafton. He passed away in 1959. Ethel worked as a nurse's aide at the Deaconess and Unity Hospitals in Grafton until 1978 and later worked at the Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton until retiring in 1988. Ethel was a member of the Grafton Lutheran Church and WELCA, the Grafton Lutheran Quilters, the Unity Hospital Auxiliary, the Sunset Home Auxiliary and Prime Time Senior Citizens. She is survived by her children: Harlan (Pat) Brekke, Grafton, ND; Betty Lou Davis, Fargo, ND; Ruth (John) Connors, Denver, CO; seven grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 11 great great grandchildren; her sister Marion Lee, Grafton, ND and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Earl, a great grandson and brother Orlando Torblaa. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. at the Grafton Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Grafton Lutheran Cemetery.