Ellie Dahl Rutherford, age 88, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away April 28, 2024, at McKenna Crossing.
A celebration of life will be held for Ellie and her husband Robert Rutherford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake. Visitation begins at 10:30 am with services at 12:00 pm. A graveside service will be held at Crystal Lake Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Ellie and Bob’s memory.
Ida Elrene was born September 7, 1935, to Ed Herman and Flora Irene (Abbott) Johnson. Best known as Ellie, she grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from Patrick Henry High School. Ellie furthered her education at St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota with a degree in Home Economics. After graduation, she took to the skies as a stewardess for Northwest Airlines.
Ellie married her first love David Dahl on October 12, 1957, at The Little Brown Church in Vale, Iowa. Together they raised their five children in Iron Mountain, MI, Annandale, MN, Shakopee, MN, and Medford, WI. As a family, they enjoyed camping, sailing, fishing, and relaxing at their lake properties in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Ellie was an extraordinary homemaker who loved her children very much. She was very active in every community she lived in and founded many groups and clubs. She was an amazing seamstress and gardener, and she could often be found in her beautiful flower gardens. She also loved traveling and went on many vacations all over the world. When her children were older, Ellie started a travel agency and relished helping others plan their perfect vacation.
Ellie’s life changed with the passing of David on September 2, 1998. She found love again with their close friend Robert Rutherford, and they married on July 22, 2006. Ellie and Bob enjoyed their lake home in Wisconsin and loved the warm winters in Arizona. After 17 years, Ellie lost Bob on December 9, 2023.
Ellie will be forever missed by her children, Matthew (Jane) Dahl, Eric (Kristi) Dahl, Kris (Mindi) Dahl, Kiersten (Stanley) Dahl-Shetka, Bob Jr (Ann Schneider) Rutherford, Grady (Susan Belleau) Rutherford, Erik (Lori) Rutherford; 21 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Greeting Ellie home in Heaven are her husbands, David Dahl and Robert Rutherford; son, Charles Dahl; and parents.
