Ebba Alma Kristina Mell, the daughter of Andrew and Maria (Alm) Anderson, was born April 4, 1905 in Wayzata, Minnesota. At the age of three years old, her parents moved to a farm located a few miles south of Rush City, Minn. Ebba was the oldest of their six children.

Ebba was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and at the time of her death was the oldest member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rush City. She attended the Brickyard country school through the 4th grade.

Her mother died when Ebba was only 10 years old, and as the oldest child she was expected to stay at home to work and help keep the family together. With the help of neighbors she learned to cook, bake bread, do laundry, and sew.

At the age of 18, Ebba married Charles Mell on November 28, 1923 at the First Lutheran parsonage in Rush City. They farmed together and raised a family of eight children, including twins. Always a hard worker, Ebba never complained.

Ebba died June 8, 2007 at GoldenLiving Center (formerly Hillcrest Health Care Center) in Rush City having attained the age of 102 years. She is survived by her children Eleanor Severson of Forest Lake, Minn, Audrey (Myron) Olson, of Rush City, Wilfred (Ailene) Mell of Fresno, CA, Diane (Jerry) Nedegaard, of Cambridge, Minn., Duane (Joyce) Mell of Braham, Minn., and Glenn (LaDez) Mell of Rush City. Ebba loved children and is survived by her 20 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and 23 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Rose Nelson of Cambridge and Violet Stenholm of Minneapolis, Minn.; sister-in-law Joyce Anderson-Schmackel of Stillwater, Minn.; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Maria Anderson, husband Charles Mell, son Cedric Mell, daughter Phoebe Lundin, grandson Rick Lewis, great-grandson Chad Baker; brothers George Anderson, Albert (Helen) Anderson; sister Mabel (Frank) Anderson; daughter-in-law Jean Mell; sons-in-law Bob Severson, Tim Lewis, and Art Lundin.

Funeral services for Ebba Mell were celebrated 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rush City with the Reverend Laurie O'Shea officiating The cross bearer was Marisa Maras, organist Dianne Kirchberg, accordionist Steve Olson, and scripture reader Anita Lind. Honorary casket bearers for Ebba included Jim Severson, Larry Mell, Jack Severson, Dean Mell, Anita Lind, Lowell Severson, Kent Lundin, Kevin Mell, Lee Olson, Nancy Dalbec, Patricia Baker, Debbie Staloch, and Linda Anderson. Active casket bearers included Darrel Severson, Steve Olson, Mike Lundin, Dale Mell, Laura Hilborn, Ken Mell, and Craig Mell with the interment in the First Lutheran Cemetery at Rush City. Arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service, Olson Chapel, Rush City, Minn.

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