Ellen Julia Curtis, 96, Minot, formerly of the Columbus area, died Wednesday, December 24, 2014 in a Minot Hospital.

Ellen was born September 7, 1918 on the family farm in Short Creek Township of Burke County, North Dakota, the daughter of Alfred and Julia (Pederson) Johnson. She was raised on the family farm near Columbus and educated at Short Creek School before graduating from Columbus High School in 1937.

Ellen was united in marriage to Raymond Curtis in Reno, Nevada on February 22, 1942. Raymond was serving with the Army and stationed in San Francisco at the time. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, Raymond returned to North Dakota and they made their home on the Curtis family farm in Short Creek Township. Throughout the years, they raised their five daughters along with farming small grains. They retired in 1983 and moved to Minot.

Ellen was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus, where she active with the Women's Circle group and taught Sunday school for several years. She was also a member of the Columbus American Legion Auxiliary and Forthun Homemakers Club. After moving to Minot, they became members of First Lutheran Church.

Throughout the years, Ellen made a number of quilts and sewed much of her girls' clothing, including a number of items for special occasions. She also embroidered dish towels that were sold at the hospital gift shop.

Her loving family includes, husband of 72 years, Raymond; twin-daughters, Judy Antrim and Julie (Jim) Antrim, both of Laporte, IN, daughters, Constance (Roger) Toffle, Morgantown, WV,Teresa (Terry) Glaspey, Portal, ND, Rebecca (David) Gray, Alexandria, MN; Ten grandchildren; Eleven great-grandchildren; brother, Henry Johnson, Shelton, WA and Sister, Esther Gilman, El Cajon, CA; special nephews, Hal Scarborough, Cedar Falls, IA and Carl L. Johnson, Palm Coast, FL; good friends and caregiver, Connie Coleman, Minot, and several other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, son in law, Don Antrim; brothers, Clarence, Herman, Edward and Carl, and sister, Mabel.

Funeral service : Monday, December 29, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: Sunday, December 28th from Noon-5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.