Ellen Dimberg

Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home announces the death of Ellen Dimberg, age 87, of Ortonville, who died on Friday, August 5, 2016, at the University of Minnesota Hospital.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at Tabor United Methodist Church in Big Stone City, SD, with Pastor Melanie Reiners officiating. Burial will follow in the Clinton City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, August 12, at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home in Ortonville and will continue on Saturday for one hour prior to the time of service at the church.

Casket bearers will be: Rachel Beling, Angela Beling, Nicole Schweigert, Nathan Schweigert, Natalie Kruger, Jacob Kruger, Joseph Dimberg, Tyler Dimberg and Derek Dimberg.

Ellen Mildred Kothmann Dimberg was born on April 10, 1929, at the St. Cloud Hospital to George Everett and Frances Margaret (Kloss) Kothmann. She was the first of four daughters. Ellen was raised on a farm near Clearwater, MN on the Mississippi River. She attended grade school in Clearwater through the 8th grade. She spent 9th grade at St. Cloud Central Junior High and grades 10-12 at St. Cloud Tech High. Ellen graduated 7th in her class of 287 in 1947.

During her high school and college years, Ellen taught swimming. She furthered her education at St. Cloud Teachers College, where she graduated in 1951 with a degree in Math Education and minors in English and Biology. It was during her junior year of college that she began her Bible study journey. She was active in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, became a Christian, and planned on becoming a missionary like her good friend, Millie Morehouse.

Upon graduation from college, Ellen taught one year of high school English in Clinton, MN, and one year of junior high math in Bellingham, MN. It was during the spring of her second year teaching that she met the love of her life, Harold Russell Dimberg, Jr. Everyone referred to him as “Junior” (he was 6’1″ to Ellen’s 5’1″).They were united in marriage on October 4, 1953, honeymooned at the Wisconsin Dells, and returned to the family farm where Ellen was a homemaker and raised their four children.

While Junior was living, they often traveled. Early trips were sponsored by Junior’s work. Later, on their own, Ellen and Junior cruised the Caribbean and went on bus tours seeing much of the United States. After they got home Ellen always said she wished the kids could have been there. In time, they were able to take the entire family (all 16 of them) to Oahu, Hawaii, where they acted as tour guides. They enjoyed it so much they later took the family to Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico.

Ellen was a devoted member of Tabor United Methodist Church and will be remembered for her strong Christian faith, love for Bible study, and her ability to teach others. She could teach as a substitute teacher in Big Stone, junior high Sunday School, Bible School, adult Bible studies, Christian Women’s club, or Bible category answer.
Ellen enjoyed fishing, canning, and gardening, especially dahlias and passion flowers. Born during the Great Depression, Ellen was the consummate recycler long before it was popular. She is fondly known for her homemade bread and rolls which she generously donated whenever a friend’s family member died. In the winter, Ellen was an avid reader, embroidered dish towels and pillow cases, knitted mittens and afghans, and made crazy quilts. She also enjoyed watching Jeopardy and took pleasure in crossword puzzles, cribbage, rook, and other card games.

Just one month after their 50th wedding anniversary, Ellen was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer on the base of her tongue. A long road followed of doctors’ appointments, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, illness, recovery, complications, recovery, and ultimately pneumonia that ended her long life at the age of 87. Throughout it all, Ellen persevered, even thrived, and is an example of God’s selfless love.

Ellen is survived by her four children: Harold Russell “Rusty” Dimberg of Ortonville, MN; Dawn Ellen (William) Beling of New Brighton, MN; Alan Paul (Sharon) Dimberg of Woodbury, MN; and Brian Jon (Lisa) Dimberg of Chaska, MN; seven grandchildren: Rachel Beling of Roseville, MN; Angela Beling of Milwaukee, WI; Nicole (Nathan) Schweigert of Richfield, MN; Natalie (Jacob) Kruger of Northfield, MN; Joseph Dimberg of Plymouth, MN; Tyler Dimberg, and Derek Dimberg, both of Chaska, MN. She is also survived by her sisters: Katherine “Kitty” (Ralph) Johansen of Clearwater, MN, and Dr. Margaret “Peggy” Kothmann of Menomonie, WI; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold Dimberg, Jr.; and sister, Jeanie Schreiner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Big Stone County Cancer Support Group, Inc. and Tabor United Methodist Church.