Ellen Waltz, 98, of Phoenix, AZ formerly of McClusky died Saturday November 16, 2019 at the North Star Assisted Living.  Burial will be in the McClusky City Cemetery.

Ellen Waltz was born December 7, 1920 on her parents farm 5½ miles north of McClusky, ND.  Ellen was the daughter of John and Lydia (Oswald) Werner.  She grew up with ten brothers, John, Emil, Ted, Elmer, George, William, Fred, Marvin, Irvin and Melvin and two sisters, Adeline and her twin sister Alvina.

Ellen completed her education at a nearby one room country schoolhouse.  Her attending high school in McClusky was denied by her parents, ending her desire to become a nurse.

She met Jake Waltz and they were married on November 4, 1941 at McClusky.  They purchased the Waltz homestead farm 9½ miles north of McClusky.  They worked side by side making a good living farming, milking and raising cattle.  They sold the farm in 1971 and moved into McClusky.  After leaving the farm she had the time to garden of which seemed to grow every year in size.  She also learned how to piece and tie blankets and crochet.  She also worked with Jake as the caretakers of the McClusky City Cemetery.

Jake died on January 21, 1994.  In September 1995 Ellen moved to the Phoenix, Arizona metro area to live with her daughter, Aldena and son-in-law, John Schultz.  She continued to enjoy crocheting, learned to work with plastic canvas and occasionally traveled.  On February 14, 2001 her great granddaughter, Jessica Ellen, was born which at that time in her life was her biggest joy.  In 2002 she moved to her granddaughter, Beth and husband Doug DuRocher's home.  She continued to live with Beth in Phoenix until June 29, 2018.

Ellen is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Aldena and John Schultz, Phoenix, AZ, granddaughter and son-in-law, Beth and Doug DuRocher, Phoenix, AZ; great-granddaughter, Jessica DuRocher.  Preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters and ten brothers.