Ellen Ann Paetkau

Obituary

Ellen Ann Paetkau, a cherished soul whose life was a testament to her unwavering faith and loving spirit, passed into the arms of her Savior on September 10, 2025, due to complications from a stroke. Born on November 13, 1944, in the humble town of Altona, Ellen’s journey of 80 grace-filled years came to a peaceful close at Boundary Trails Health Centre, surrounded by the love of her family.

A woman of deep Christian conviction, Ellen’s life was a reflection of the virtues she held dear. Her formative years were spent in the halls of MCI, where the seeds of her lifelong love for learning were sown. These seeds blossomed beautifully during her subsequent three years at Elim Bible School, where she deepened her understanding of the scriptures that would guide her through life.

Ellen embraced her role as a farmer’s wife with grace and grit, standing as a steadfast partner to her beloved husband, Cornie. Together, they cultivated not just the land, but a family rooted in love and faith. Ellen’s nurturing nature was evident in her devotion to her sons, Russell and Trevor, and her warm embrace extended to her daughter-in-law, Pearl. She was a fountain of wisdom and comfort to her grandchildren, Corey and Madyson, and celebrated the addition of her granddaughter-in-law, Jessica.

The joy of Ellen’s later years was magnified by the arrival of her great-grandchildren, Wren, Wyatt, and Raegan. Each one added a new bloom to the garden of her heart, a garden she tended with the same care she devoted to her beloved flowers.

Ellen’s hands, always busy, found pleasure in the creation of beauty through quilting and crocheting in her earlier days. Her love for puzzles and crosswords kept her mind sharp, a trait that served her well in her cherished role as a Sunday school teacher. Her involvement in the ladies’ group at church was not just a duty but a joy, as she found camaraderie and purpose in fellowship with her sisters in Christ.

Those who knew Ellen will remember her for the love that seemed to radiate from her very being. She was a woman of spirited grace, always ready with a word of encouragement or a listening ear. Her faith was the bedrock upon which she built her life, and it was this faith that kept her spirit buoyant through the trials and triumphs of her earthly journey.

As we bid farewell to Mom, we do so with hearts full of gratitude for the blessing she was to all who knew her. Her legacy of love and faithfulness will continue to ripple through the lives she touched, reminding us that even in parting, the light of a well-lived life never truly dims. We take solace in the knowledge that she is now at peace, cradled in the everlasting love of her Creator.

A private family graveside funeral will be held Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

All are welcome to a reception at the Lowe Farm Community Hall on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 12:00pm.