Ella Koosmann

Ella Helen Jeske, daughter of William and Ida (Sarinske) Jeske, was born February 15, 1920 in Glenwood City, Wisconsin. She grew up in a family of 12 siblings and at an early age, moved to St. Paul to live with her Aunt Anna. While in St. Paul, she trained as a beautician and met Wilbert Koosmann through members of his family. The couple was married on September 23, 1939 and from this union 5 children were born. The couple moved to Horton Township where they farmed. Ella cherished all of her neighbors in Horton Township and made many lifelong friends while living there. Wilbert passed away in February of 1959. Ella remained on the farm and began working at the Morris Creamery and later as a cook at the University of Minnesota-Morris until she retired. After her retirement, she babysat for area families. In 2004, she moved to Jackson, Minnesota. It was always her wish to return to Morris and in 2007 she moved back to Morris where she lived until the time of her death.

Ella died on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at West Wind Village in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 88 years.

She is survived by four children: Donald (Chris) Koosmann of Detroit Lakes, Yvonne (Johnny) Giesbrecht of Rosthern Saskatchewan, Canada, daughter-in-law: Connie Koosmann of St. Cloud,  Kathy (Danny) Joyce of Jackson, and Willie (Brenda) Koosmann of Boise, ID; three siblings: Alvin (Helen) Jeske of Glenwood City, WI, Ida Ohman of Glenwood City, WI and Orville (Louise) Jeske of Glenwood City, WI; five sisters-in-law: Verna Koosmann of Montevideo, Irene Koosmann of Glenwood, Carol Koosmann of Crystal, Arlene Jeske of Glenwood City, Wisconsin, and Diane Jeske of Glenwood City, Wisconsin; one brother-in-law Bert (Doris) Koosman of Appleton; seven grandchildren: Amy (Victor) Backman of Minneapolis, Troy Koosmann of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, Jesse (Bobby) Bickford of Boise, ID, Carrie Koosmann of Boise, Marie (Brent) Hjelmeland of Leroy, MN, Holly (Keaton) Sturtz of Sioux Falls, SD and Jeremy Joyce of Mankato, MN; 3 great-grandchildren: Elle and Avery Bickford and Brielle Hjelmeland and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son: Curt; 5 brothers and 3 sisters.

Pallbearers for the service are: George Loock, Victor Koosmann, Lowell Rohloff, Butch Jeske, Chuck Spohr and Bob Libbon. Rita Lambert will serve as organist for the service with Jere Solvie serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.