Amalia Eleonore Ellis , 86, Minot, died on Monday, August 24, 2015 in a Minot nursing home.

Amalia was born on January 1, 1929, in Munich, Germany to Andreas and Barbara (Eggert) Benedikter. She was raised and educated in Munich. She survived the Allied bombings of Munich and she spent many hours sharing stories of her family's survival and hardships.

Amalia married Arthur "Art" Ellis, an American military officer, on May 29, 1949, in Munich, Germany. They made their home at U.S. Air Force bases in Europe for ten years (three years in Germany, four years in England and three years in Spain) as well as bases in California, Oregon, South Dakota and Nebraska.

Following Art's discharge from the U.S. Air Force as a Lt. Colonel, they resided in Massachusetts from 1964 until 1970 before they moved to Minot Air Force Base. They moved into Minot in 1973 and resided at 500 12th Ave. N.E. for many years. Amalia was employed at Walter's Women's Wear for more than twenty years prior to her retirement. After Art died on May 23, 2006, Amalia continued to make her home in Minot, most recently at Trinity Homes for the past nine months.

Amalia will forever stay in the hearts of her family, not only through her inspirational story of survival, but through memories of her beauty and style, her wonderful cooking, her sense of humor, her attention to detail, her generosity, and even her love of soap operas and tennis matches. She was deeply loved and will be missed every day.

Amalia is survived by her daughters: Lori (Keith) Knutson of Minot, Terresa Ellis of Shutesbury MA, Sarah Ellis of Santa Cruz CA; son: James Ellis of Omaha NE; daughter-in-law: Jan Ellis of Williamsburg MA; grandchildren: Matthew (Leslie) Knutson, Bradley (Tonya) Knutson, Eric (Margaret) Knutson, Rachel Ellis, Olivia Ellis, Summer Ayala, Josh Tuntland, Mary Difruscio and Amy (Joe) Canata; great grandchildren: Julia Ayala, Lauren Canata, Audrey Canata, Carissa Pacheco, Vanessa Difruscio, Quinn Knutson, Marcus Knutson and Amalia "Mali" Knutson.

Amalia was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Jerry and son-in-law Glenn Ellis.

Celebration of the Life of Amalia Ellis: Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in Trinity Homes Chapel.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.
Visitation: Monday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Souris Valley Animal Shelter.