Ellanora M. Houtkooper

Ellanora M. Melby was born on March 9, 1922 to Martin K. and Alma Haugen Melby in Manfred, ND, where she attended grade school. Ellanora graduated from Fessenden High School in 1940. She moved to San Diego, CA, in 1942 and worked for the San Diego Telephone Company. In January of 1944 she journeyed to Washington D.C. to marry Charles M. Houtkooper, who was in the U.S. Navy and going to an Ordinance School there. After the War they moved to Fargo, ND. She was a stay at home mother and raised the family. Ellanora was a long time member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church where she was active in the Alter Guild and Quilters.She is survived by her husband, Charles; daughters, Mary Charlie Brown, Emir Jerry Moritz, Jane Kris Barcelow; 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her son, Jon; her parents; a sister, Myrtle; 2 brothers, Kermit and Donald; and grandson, Adam Brown.Memorials may be given to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND, Hospice of the Red River Valley or Elim Care Center, Fargo, ND.