The funeral service for Ethel Gusaas, 95, Valley City, North Dakota will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City.  Ethel passed away Monday, November 18 at CHI Mercy Health, Valley City.

Ethel Mae Ashdown was born January 16, 1929 to Walter and Sadie (Hale) Ashdown in Highmore, South Dakota where she was raised and received her education graduating from Highmore High School in 1947. After graduating, she worked at Ed Bottcher Chevrolet Buick Dealership in Highmore where she met Milford Gusaas who was in town for work building roads. November 9, 1952 they were united in marriage.   Ethel and Milford made their home near Hastings, North Dakota in Skandia Township where they raised their family and farmed from 1952-1988 until moving to Valley City.

 Ethel made her home a place for family and friends to gather leading by example for her children always pleasant and not speaking bad of others.  Fresh bread and flowers from her garden would most often be present when stopping to visit. Along with being a homemaker and farm wife, Ethel was a bookkeeper for Rexall Drug for four years, the Barnes County Extension Agent’s assistant and retired in 1991 from Leevers Foods after fifteen years as bookkeeper.

Faith and Community were also important to Ethel as she served as WELCA Treasurer at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church was a part of Hannah Circle Bible Group, Good Samaritan Quilting Group, and the VFW Auxiliary.

Ethel is survived by her children Beth Arneson, Anoka, MN, Benita (Frank) Gusaas-Goodwin, Duluth, MN, David (Andrea Lenaburg) Gusaas, Chicago, IL; grandchildren Beau Gusaas, Kylie Janson, Richard (Violet) Rockensock; great grandson Frank Rockensock and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, a sister Ruth Robertson, and her brothers Hugh, Glen, Carl and Leslie Ashdown.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel. An online guestbook is available at www.olivernathanchapel.com.