Ella Sophia Whiting, 94, former longtime Max resident, died Wednesday, April 23, 2008 in a Garrison Hospital.

Ella was born November 12, 1913, on the family farm, near Max, North Dakota, the daughter of Christian and Helen (Henchel) Hauf. She was raised on the farm and attended country schools in that area. She assisted her parents in the operation of the farm and raising her brothers and sisters.

Ella was united in marriage to Howard Whiting on July 5, 1938 at Kalispell, Montana. They made their home at Max from 1938 until 1956, when the family moved to Dickinson, where Howard was employed as the Elevator Manager for Cargill. While residing in Dickinson, Ella was employed at Montgomery Ward and Woolworth Department stores. Howard retired in 1975 and they spent their summers at Lake Sakakawea and winters in Arizona. They moved to Max in 1984. Howard died on February 24, 1994. Ella had continued to make her home there, until moving to Minot in 2005. The past few months, Ella had resided in Benedictine Living Center in Garrison.

Ella was a longtime member at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Max. She had volunteered with a number of duties within the church. She was also a member of the Max Senior Center.

Ella enjoyed gardening, crocheting, cooking and baking and traveling to various destinations around the country.

Her loving family includes : Children: Marilyn (Jim) Dowell, St. Charles, MO, Lois (Charles) Shumaker, Bismarck, ND, and Bruce (Barb) Whiting, St. Paul, MN; six Grandchildren; nine Great-Grandchildren; Sisters: Ann Saldin, Thousand Oaks, CA, Esther Koebernick, Minot, ND and Selma Tighe, Brighton, CO; Brother: Erwin (Ethel) Hauf, Max, ND; sister-in-law: Erna Hauf, Garrison; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Otto, Paul and Robert.

Funeral service: Monday, April 28, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in Our Savior Lutheran Church, Max;
Interment : Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Max;
Visitation: Sunday, April 27, 2008, from noon until 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.