Ella Skarhus, 94, Minot died on Friday, November 12, 2010 in a Minot hospital.

Ella was born on November 5, 1916 in Coleharbor, ND to Christian and Christina (Meisner) Bauch. She was reared and educated in Garrison.

Ella married Orville Skarhus in 1949. They made their home in Williston for a few years prior to moving to Minot in 1956 where Orville was a longtime employee of the Great Northern Railroad and BN Railroad. Orville died on June 12, 1995. Ella had continued to make her home in Minot.

Ella was a member of Zion Lutheran Church Minot and the American Legion Auxiliary. She especially enjoyed cooking, baking, camping and fishing.

Ella is survived by her sons: James (Connie) Skarhus and Robert Skarhus, all of Minot; grandchildren: Justin, Adam, Sarah, Ryan and Ron Skarhus, Heather Oakes and Alan Watson; great grandchildren: Alec and Kacey Skarhus, Ethan and Genevieve Oakes; step-daughters: Sandy Hiedecker of Glenwood MN and Glenda Moriarity of Rochester, MN and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son: Ronald Raddatz; siblings: Emil, Casey, Jake and Oscar Bauch and Clara Larsen; half-sister: Emelia Mehlhoff and half-brother: Alex Bauch.

Funeral Service: Friday, November 19, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.
Visitation: Thursday from noon to 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.