Elaine Carol Friedman, of Okemos, Michigan, formerly of Prior Lake, passed away peacefully at age 74 on March 1, 2017 after a brief illness. A time of gathering will be held Monday, March 6, 2017 from 4-6PM with a service at 6PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake.
Ellie was a diehard Michigan State fan. She really treasured her annual visits to the family’s timeshare in Maui where she and husband, Dave, hosted many family and friends over the years. Ellie was always thinking about the needs of others. She retired from 3M Company in 1998.
Ellie is preceded in death by her parents and one nephew. She has left bereft her husband Davide; son, Gordon Alexander II; brothers, Kenny Tafts and Milton Gruhn; nieces, Cricket (Rick) Lott, Julie (Gruhn); nephew, Dan (Jean) Gruhn, and too many special friends to list.
The Friedman family has been proudly cared for by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home.
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Peter and Gerrie Buccellato
We didn’t know ELlie well, but the several times wecmetvshe went out of her way to welcome us and make us feel special.
She and Dave were kind and welcoming to our son, Jim, in his special time of need; and friends forever after, for that she will always and forever be in our hearts prayers and thoughts. God has a special place for people of her ilk.
May she rest in peace.
Kim Forrester
Dear Davide and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We loved Ellie and will miss seeing her at the Harbor. When you guys moved to Michigan not so long ago I looked forward to the next celebration that we might do as good a job as Ellie would have. We can only strive to be as good of a neighbor she and you were.
Blessings to you and your family.
Kimmy Forrester
Gigi Rudd
Dear Davide, We are so sorry and saddened by your loss of Ellie. Her spirit and kindness will always be remembered. You both served as role models as neighbors. We have wonderful memories of Ellie tending to her beautiful flower gardens. Our thoughts and prayers are with you .
Gigi and Bob
Carol Hall
Dear Dave, Loren and I were so shocked and saddened to hear of the death of your dear Ellie. We will always remember her friendly voice, always welcoming us into her home and life, always such a part of our Friday night at the pool, and I’m especially thankful I had several times of meeting this Fall for breakfast before you were moving to Michigan. I was sad to think of you leaving us in Prior Lake, but knew Ellie was eager to be near her family in Michigan. We send you our deepest sympathy in this time of loss and our special prayers for you to find peace and comfort. So sorry we are not able to attend her memorial service. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you. Carol and Loren
Lisa Little
Dear Davide and family,
Steve, the girls and I are all so sad to hear of Ellie’s passing. We have so many memories of Ellie! We loved talking about gardening and travel and of course the girls! You were the best neighbors and always here if we ever needed anything. We too are here if you ever need anything. Please remember that! The girls always think of you as grandparents and were sad that you moved back to Michigan. We are keeping you in our prayers .
Lisa and Steve
Lin and Luce Knight
Dear Davide and family,
We will truly miss Ellie. Lin and I have been neighbors of Ellie for 11 years and enjoyed her smiling face and beautiful gardens. She served as the social committee as we enjoyed the Christmas party and Super Bowl party at her home. At the Friday pool parties she always arranged things so we could enjoy ourselves. I am so glad we were able to join Davide and Ellie at Dangerfields in December for Happy Hour while we were home for the holidays. I am sorry we will not be able to participate in the memorial but our thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Lin and Luce
Bob & Patti Foxwell
Ellie, The Harbor’s primary entertainment director for many, many years opened her home and generous heart to all.
Ellie had an honest soul. She always told it like it was.
Ellie was our dear friend.
Paul and Mary Servais
Dear Davide,
Paul and I are so sorry for your loss. The two of you had many wonderful years together and many wonderful trips and memories. We will always treasure the great times skiing and visiting you and Ellie. It is a beautiful picture of Ellie you posted on Facebook. Please accept our sincerest sympathy! Our thoughts are with you and your family at this sad and difficult time. Fondly, Mary and Paul Servais
Maggie Wooley
Dave, prayers for comfort and strength on Ellie’s passing. I remember fondly our time together at 3M.
Ron and Nancy McLain
Dave and family,
Nancy and I were saddened to hear of Ellie’s passing. You both have been such wonderful and generous neighbors always welcoming us and the Harbor neighborhood to your house for special events and celebrations; and always willing to offer a helping hand or lend a needed tool.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and we pray that Ellie is enjoying eternal bliss.
Craig and Vicky Michaels
I am so very sorry to hear of this. My heart is aching for you and your family. We love Ellie, she was such a dear. God bless and be with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kirk and Andrea Hinrichs
Dave, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family! As we think of Ellie back here on earth, rest assured that Jesus is now walking with her in paradise! She will be missed by us all, know that we loved her, we love you. Jesus has her now until we see her again! Ellie, we will see you again!
Gerald fleischman
Davide, myself and lorraine, have no words to express our feeling when we heard Ellie passed way. Lorraine was a good friend to you and Ellie over the many years. We will miss Ellie more then anyone can say. Please keep in touch . Your friends Jerry and Lorraine.
Dan and Mel
Dear Davide and family
We are so truly sorry about the passing of Elllie. We loved Ellie and we had so much fun before you guys left for Michigan. It is so hard to believe, such a vibrant soul has left us so quickly. Please know we are thinking of you and your family
Nancy and Denny
We are so saddened to hear of Ellie’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
You and Ellie welcomed us into our new neighborhood when we moved in 3 years ago. Ellie was always so kind and easy to talk to. We’ll always remember her sweet smile, We enjoyed spending time catching up with her at the Friday night pool parties. Ellie made sure all the extras were supplied and that everyone felt welcome. She was a very loving and caring lady and she will be missed by so many. We are so thankful that our paths crossed.
Sue James
Dear Dave, please accept my sincere condolences and sympathy at Ellie’s passing. She was a good friend both working together and enjoying fun times with our garden club. I will remember her pretty smile and gracious compassion. She was always the ‘hostest with the mostest’ at many get-togethers. I understand your feelings of loss at this very difficult time. Ellie’s memories will always be in your heart. Sue James
Rikka Rosten
Dave, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Ellie. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tom & Kathy Schlick
Words can’t describe the sadness Kathy and I have over the passing of Ellie.
Davide and Ellie were terrific neighbors who warmly welcomed us to the neighborhood when we moved to the Harbor in 2013. We have fond memories of attending Davide & Ellie’s spectacular Super Bowl parties. Ellie was always so gracious and caring. She will be truly missed.
Karen Vonderharr
Dear Dave,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Ellie will always be remembered with incredible fondness. She was thoughtful and kind and brought joy to our clinic. We have wonderful memories of Ellie; she was always generous and caring to everyone she met. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Susan Warnke
Ellie was such an awesome person. She was part of our Backyard Buds Garden Club for many years. Ellie had such a great sense of humor and just a wonderful person to be around. She will certainly be greatly missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sue and Glen Warnke
April and Don Greenwood
Davide and Family:
We are very sorry for your loss. Ellie will be missed by us all. You no doubt know that you and Ellie have earned many many friends that are here to support you through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
April and Don
Vicki Henry
Dear family of Ellie,
OMG, this is such a shock to learn of her death. I met Ellie through the “Backyard Buds” Garden Club. As most of us lived in St. Paul and eastern suburbs, I admired her dedication to travel to get to the meetings. A couple times she got us over to your beautiful Prior Lake home & gardens.
What a dear, thoughtful person I will remember in my heart. I can’t be at today’s service as my husband & I are traveling in Florida.
Peace to you all during this sad time.
Vicki Henry
Dear family of Ellie,
I was so very sorry to hear about Ellie’s passing way too young.
I got to know Ellie via the “Backyard Buds” Garden Club. As most of us lived St. Paul & further east, I admired her dedication to venture east to meetings. She did get us to her beautiful home & gardens in Prior Lake…awesome hostess.
Ellie was a dear & thoughtful person & will be missed. As I am traveling in Florida, I won’t be able to be at today’s service.
Deepest sympathy to you all,
Vicki
Barb Vince Fritz
Dave and Family:
Barb and I can’t adequately express our sadness in your loss. You and Ellie have been such long-time friends and confidants as we’ve shared so much of our life together over the many many years. We will always remember Ellie for her thoughtfulness, humor, support of our children, and great love for dogs! She was the best “Aunt Ellie” for our two border collies.
She will be missed, but hold close the wonderful memories of our time together.
Marilyn & David Anderson
Davide and Family,
We are heartbroken with Ellie’s passing and your loss. She was a wonderful person with a loving, feisty attitude and we loved her. She is in a wonderful place now. May she rest in peace and may your wonderful memories of her sustain you.
Randy and kathy Monforton
Davide…
With all our heart and compassion we are sorry to hear of the loss of Ellie.
During this difficult time please know that you and your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
It is a great blessing to see so many familiar names on this list of remembrances which speak to the many people throughout our lives that we have had the opportunity to share experiences with. It’s in these times that we are reminded of the importance of the people in our lives.
Ellie will be missed.
Randy
Colleen Carbonneau-Jenkins
DEAR FAMILY of Ellie….Another Backyard Buds friend sending condolences to you. She was a fun lady and enjoyed our times together at our events. We were together for lunch before I moved to Florida last year. She did always have a smile and a twinkle in her eyes. I hope you are among the stars Ellie and you are free of all pain. May our many memories of you live on. Colleen Carbonneau-Jenkins
Lois Halloran
Dave and family,
Our heartfelt sympathy to you at this time of loss.
Ellies’ smile will be remembered and the fun times spent together as Eagan neighbors.
Dave, you and Ellie were such a special couple. Do take care.
Jerry and Lois Halloran
Jack J. Grams
Davide and family,
Sheila and I are so sorry for your loss and the world’s loss. She made a wonderful mark on everyone she met. My open heart surgery prevented us from attending the MN gathering. Good memories will sustain us all. Jack and Sheila Grams
Kathy Smuz
Dave,
I have just learned of Ellie’s death and am so very sorry. It’s been many years, but you and my former husband Randy Brachmann worked together at APF, and he and I always thoroughly enjoyed the times we spent together with you and Ellie. I still smile when I think of the enormous rug she started when Bruce was a baby, and she joked that she might actually finish it by the time his kids came along! Ellie was a sweetheart, always so kind, with a laugh that would warm your heart. My deepest sympathy to you in this sad loss.
Kathy Smuz