Ellamae Pasternak

Ellamae Pasternak, 93, of Williston, passed away at the CHI Saint Alexius Medical Center on Wednesday morning, August 14, 2024.

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Her Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Father Paul Eberle at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 19, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Williston. Burial in Riverview cemetery was held following the funeral mass.

Ellamae Pasternak, a cherished woman who touched the lives of everyone that knew her, passed away the morning of August 14 at CHI St. Alexius in Williston, ND.

Ellamae was born to Joseph and Gladys Fisketjon in a tiny farmhouse outside of Arnegard, ND. She grew up with her mother and 5 siblings and graduated from Arnegard High School in 1948.

She went on to live a very full life. A life full of love, family, friendship, hard work, and God. In high school, Ellamae was a majorette, she enjoyed roller skating and motorcycles. She spent a lot of time on her Brother Ben's Harley! Ellamae helped raise her 5 siblings, she also worked at Shirley General Store in Arnegard, ASC in Watford, Morris Berkholz Weather Modification, Good Shepherd in Watford, Good Samaritan in Williston, The Colonial Shop, and for the Williston Herald. She attended church regularly and served God through serving her community. Her most important job was raising a family.

Shortly after graduation, Ellamae married Duffy Schultz. From this union came 4 beautiful children, Clinton, Mark, Larry, and Rebecca. They lived on the Schultz family farm in a log cabin. Ellamae was a hard worker and kept her family fed and clothed, worked on the farm, milked cows, drove tractor-fed animals, and had many life adventures raising her family in the small community of Arnegard. She then moved to Williston, starting the next phase of her life.

In 1971, Ellamae met the love of her life, Nick Pasternak. They married in October of the same year. Nick embraced Ellie's four children as his own. Together they shared many interests and truly lived life to the fullest. They went snowmobiling, traveling, went to many car and air shows, and danced (winning many trophies along the way). The pair farmed in Bonetraill, ND for over 40 years. They were good stewards of the land and Ellie was a dutiful farm wife.

Ellie had 8 grandchildren, who spent many summers on the farm. There was never a dull moment!

One of Ellie's favorite things to do was to help her church. She was a member of St. Boniface parish in Grenora and helped maintain the cemetery and Grotto. She also helped set up service and communion for many years at the Kensington Assisted Living facility in Williston.

There are so many things to say about Ellie that it is impossible to list them all! She was such a beautiful and classy lady inside and out. She was kind, caring, and generous. She always helped wherever she could. She put her family and friends ahead of herself, always, and she was the first one you could go to for advice. She was and is truly loved.

Ellamae was preceded in death by her husband, Nick; Mother, Gladys; Step Father., Lenus; Father, Joseph; Brothers, Ben, Junie, and Glenn; Sisters, Georgie and Cleo; Son, Clinton

She is survived by her children; sons, Mark Schultz and Larry Schultz (Carol Bomstad); daughter, Becky (Cal) Tininenko; Daughter in law, Judy Schultz; grandchildren, Krista (Matt) Ethan and Leah Beery, Marcia (Matt) Haley and Brooklyn Baker, Erica (Jeremy) Brynlee, Zayla and Maeley Myers, Amanda (Don) Devendorf, Brent and Blake Bombardieri, Jennifer (Phil) Paxton and Charley Varilek, Tyler Schultz, Kelli Hammeren (Justin Shafer) Carson and Sami, and Monica (Micheal) Tininenko-Reuter; a very dear half-brother, David (Luanna) Fisketjon, and 4 other half siblings.

There will never be another Ellie.

Friends are welcome to visit www.eversoncoughlin.com to share memories of Ellamae or leave condolences for her family.