Marie Ellen Ellingson, 88, Breckenridge, MN, died on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Twin Town Villa under the care of HIA Hospice. Marie was born on November 25, 1936, at Doran, MN, the daughter of Ray and Ellen (Kluck) Ellingson. She was raised on the family farm near Doran and attended elementary school there. She graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1954. When Marie was a sophomore, her brother Reynold was a senior, brother Leonard was a junior and sister Barbara was a freshman. A brother, Jim, was nine years younger than Marie, and brother Mark was nineteen years younger, completing the family.
Marie contracted Rheumatic Fever, an event which would change her life – for the better. She was quite sick for some time and, once she was up and recovering, it was decided she should go to college instead of remaining on the farm. She attended Moorhead State College, graduating in 1959. This allowed her to become what she was always meant to be – a teacher.
Marie taught elementary for 36 years at Wheaton, MN, mainly first grade. She said that one of her greatest joys was teaching children to read. She also taught at the Campbell-Tintah Migrant School in the summer for 20 years.
Marie was a voracious reader and loved to be active. Most weekends she would drive home to Doran and visit with people, find some card games and seek new things to try. Often, she would introduce her family to new items or inventions. She was very active in the Doran Presbyterian church from singing in the choir to teaching Sunday School (including teaching her youngest brother), participating in programs and Bible Studies. Later in life she became very active in the Breckenridge Senior Citizen’s center.
Her time as a teacher was cut short by Macular Degeneration, which eventually would take most of her sight. She remained a reader, using books on tape regularly. She was generous, donating to her church, any organizations working to improve sight, and to groups supporting veterans.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Leonard, Reynold and Jim and brother-in-law Dick Hiedeman. She is survived by her sister Barbara Hiedeman, brother Mark (Betty), sisters-in-law Marcile and Carolyn, and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at Joseph Vertin funeral home in Breckenridge on Saturday, August 2 at 11:00 am. There will be an hour of visitation starting at 10:00 am.
