Ella Kanko, 93, Minot, formerly of Kief and Drake, went to her eternal home on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

Ella was born July 9, 1917 on the family farm near Kief, North Dakota, the daughter of John and Matilda (Selachenko) Dassenko. She was raised on the family farm and completed her education at country schools in that area. She spent several years working as a nanny in the Minneapolis area before returning to Kief.

Ella was united in marriage to Edward Kanko on July 2, 1938 at the Kief Mennonite Church. They made their home on a farm near Kief for thirty-seven years. In 1975, they sold the farmstead and moved to a new home in Drake, where they continued to live until 1999. At that time, they moved to Dakota Terrace in Minot, where they lived until 2004, when due to ill health, they moved to Somerset Court. Edward died June 16, 2007.

Ella was always very involved in whatever church she attended, helping others in any way she could. In her younger days, she loved to entertain. Her baking and pastry skills were well known to all who knew her. She passed on these skills to her granddaughter at an early age. She even had special granddaughter size tins for her to use during "their sessions". Her grandson, Scott made many trips via his pony, Duffy, to have fresh cookies or rolls at Grammas. Gardening was important to Ella and she followed the adage "you must have everything planted by May 15th". She continued this hobby at her daughter's farm as long as she was able.

Ella was very proud of her family. She was especially proud of her daughter and her family's musical abilities. She didn't care for the new, contemporary songs, preferring the "old fast songs". She enjoyed a good laugh, and her Gramma-isms could fill a book. She will be dearly missed by her loving family.

Her loving family includes : daughter, Jeanette (Gerald) Donelenko, Balfour, ND, grandchildren, Scott (Sharon) Donelenko, Gainesville, FL, and Tania (Ronnie) Novak, rural Minot; great grandchildren, Taylor, Jayd, and Layne Novak, Macey, Mallory and Ava Donelenko, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 69 years, Edward, brothers, Johnny, Mike, Levi, Melvin and Sam; sisters, Pauline (Alex) Lakoduk and Francis (Sam) Plesuk.

Funeral service: Monday, November 8, 2010 at 11:00 a.m . in Immanuel Baptist Church, Minot;
Intermen t: Kief City Cemetery, Kief, ND;
Visitation : Sunday from Noon-5:00p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Kief City Cemetery or Minot Youth For Christ.