Ella M. Sterhan

SIDNEY — Ella M. Sterhan died suddenly on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005, at her home in Sidney.

She was born on Dec. 18, 1917, in rural Blue Grass, N.D., the daughter of Christopher and Lydia (Mindt) Hartwig. She grew up and attended schools in Beulah.

Ella married Edwin "Ed" Mindt on July 24, 1934, in Beulah. After the marriage they made their home in Sidney. Ella's husband, Ed, was killed in a truck accident near Poplar on July 25, 1959.

On Dec. 9, 1961, she married Ed Sterhan in Sidney. They made their home in Sidney until 1972, when they moved to Polson.

They owned and operated a 14-cabin resort. After selling the resort they purchased the Riverside, which was a bowling alley and restaurant. They sold the Riverside and moved back to Sidney in 1990 due to Ed's health. Ed died on May 27, 1994, and Ella has remained in Sidney ever since.

Ella was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, the Moose Lodge and the Elks Lodge. She enjoyed dancing, bowling, sewing, embroidering, and her flower gardens. Ella also enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are three sons, Delton (Anna) Mindt of Polson, Larry (Sharon) Mindt of Sidney, and Terry Mindt of Billings; a daughter, Joan (Alvin) Filler of Sidney; a sister, Clara Schmidt of Hazen, N.D.; 14 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Bill Lassey of Cartwright, N.D.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, son Jerry Mindt, granddaughter Cindy Filler Heisler, great-grandchildren Bradley Filler and Brook Thomas, four brothers, and six sisters.