Ellen A (Holmquist) Greenberg

Ellen A. Greenberg age 90 of Nowthen, passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior on March 20, 2022.

Ellen was born on October 21, 1931 to Herman and Alvina Holmquist on a farm in Clarissa, MN.

She attended country grade-school and later graduated from Clarissa High School in 1949. After high school graduation, she attended Northwestern Bible College and graduated in 1954.

Ellen worked as a Nurses Aide at the Eitel Hospital in Minneapolis until she met her future husband, Harvey Greenberg, at Grand Ave. Alliance Church in Mpls, while volunteering as youth leaders at their respective churches.  Ellen and Harvey were married May 11, 1957 at Grand Ave Alliance Church. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to their farm in Nowthen where she raised their three children.  After 11 years on the farm, Ellen and her family moved into the town of Nowthen, where she resided until her death.

While raising her children, Ellen was highly involved in the Nowthen Alliance Church.  She was the director of the Vacation Bible School, Women’s Ministry Prayer Fellowship and Treasurer for the Prime Time Group. 

 She was a faithful Prayer Warrior for family, friends and her church family.

Her community involvement included the Elk River Christian Women’s group, Area Coordinator for the Cancer Drive, Election Judge, serving for many years on the Lakeview Cemetery Board. She also worked part-time as a bookkeeper for Greenberg Implement, Inc. with her husband.

Throughout Ellen’s life she loved to sing.  As a youth, she sang Christian hymns with her sisters and friends on the radio in Clarissa, MN, and she sang in a women’s trio and sang in a duet with her husband, Harvey, at many, many funerals.

She was an excellent cook.  Her most notable meals were her turkey and roast-beef dinners with mashed potatoes and her delicious gravy.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Harvey, who she faithfully and lovingly cared for during his ALS diagnosis.

She is survived by her children, Rollie (Kate) Greenberg, Shirley Greenberg and Jim (Olya) Greenberg; grandchildren Nolan, Nick, Addyson, Joshua, Caleb and Vera; her sisters Alice Migliazza and Elaine (Gene) Getz and many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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