Ellen Mae Ristad

1923 - 2013

Ellen Mae (Kuhn) Ristad
June 4, 1923-April 5, 2013
Resident of Martinez
Ellen was born in Stockton, CA to George and Theresa Kuhn. A move brought the family to Oakland, CA where Ellen attended grade school and graduated from Oakland High School in 1941. She attended College of Pacific and graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 1944. A member of P.E.O for over 68 years she helped to charter chapter OE in the bay area in 1953. While working as an occupational therapist during WWII, she met Kenneth Ristad and they married in 1946. Her husband Kenneth preceded her in death in 2012. Ellen taught kindergarten and second grade in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District until her retirement in 1981.
Ellen loved spending time with her family and friends, including the "Big 10." She enjoyed playing bridge, attending local theater, and traveling. One of her greatest joys was relaxing and spending time at the family cabin in Cazadero with her dogs and the many friends and family who visited.
Ellen will be dearly missed by her children, Martin Ristad (Maribeth), Susan Ristad, and Patti Fitzgerald (Dan), her grandchildren, Colleen, Brian, Matt and Scott and two great-grandsons. Ellen is preceded in death by her beloved sister Carolyn Furlong Dildine.
Services will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the P.E.O. Scholarship Fund in care of the family, Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, or the charity of your choice.