Bengtson, Ellen Loretta (nee Reiten)

Bengtson, Ellen Loretta (nee Reiten)

May 30, 1947 – October 24, 2014
Age 67 of Minneapolis MN, passed away Friday, October 24. She died peacefully at Our Lady of Peace Home surrounded by family and friends. A graveside service will be held at Granite Falls City Cemetery on Sunday, Nov 2 at 2 PM with fellowship to follow at Hawk Creek Lutheran Church, rural Sacred Heart.  Ellen was born on May 30th, 1947 to Melvin and Annamae (Roudebush) Reiten of Granite Falls, MN.  Ellen was baptized at Congregational Church in Granite Falls and confirmed Hawk Creek Lutheran Church in rural Sacred Heart, MN. She graduated from Granite Falls High School, and later attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Golden Valley, MN. She received a B.A. in Sociology from Winona State University.  Ellen dedicated her life to helping others as Senior Advocate in Winona MN, and other vocations serving seniors and people with disabilities. Most recently, Ellen volunteered at the Little Kitchen Food Shelf in Minneapolis MN. In addition to the people she served, animals of all stripes held a place in Ellen’s heart, and she spent many hours volunteering for The Humane Society of Winona MN and Compassionate Action for Animals of Minneapolis MN.  Ellen is survived by her children Erik Bengtson and Brita Bengtson, both of Minneapolis, MN, and by siblings Odell Reiten, Wayne (Lois) Reiten, Harry (Marti) Reiten, Joyce (Mark) Bigaouette.  Memorials preferred to Our Lady of Peace Home, Little Kitchen Food Shelf, or Compassionate Action for Animals.