Eloise "Ellie" Whittaker

Eloise "Ellie" Whittaker of Rush City passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at her home on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at the age of 81.

Ellie was born on July 13, 1943 to Alfred and Alice Lundberg in Roseau, Minnesota. Ellie was a happy child and grew up with her brothers Lenny and Ray and her sister Jeanette. She attended Wannaska School for 1st and 2nd grades. At 9 years old she asked Jesus into her heart and at 11 was baptized in Karlstad, MN. The family was poor but the love they had for each other was rich. The family moved to Minneapolis in 1950 where she attended Eugene Field Elementary, then Phillips Junior High, and then graduating from Minneapolis Central High School in 1961.

Eloise was active in the Hi-C (High Crusaders) Bible Club and sang in the citywide Hi-C Gospel Team Trio. She always loved singing, especially with her brothers and sister, and also her mother and father, singing in churches or other functions and playing marimba with her sister and her marimba alone, too.

She met Rollin Whittaker in February of 1963; they were engaged on August 25th; and were married on December 14, 1963 at the Brooklyn Center Baptist Church in a beautiful Christian candlelight service.

After they were married Rollie started playing the bass guitar as well as doing some singing with the family. Ellie was singing in the church choir (directed it for a time), in a church trio with Pat Stenmo and Mae Kieper (later with Nancy Moulton and Karen Melin), in mixed quartets, and teaching Sunday School and VBS. She and Rollie were the youth leaders for about 15 years. During those years the Gospel Harmonettes was formed and they sang and toured now and then in area churches, banquets, Christian Women's Clubs, etc.

In October 1969 son Darrin was born and lovingly adopted. In August 1974 daughter Danelle was born and lovingly adopted. Ellie loved and adored her children and tried to be a good mother, but mostly her desire was to teach them of the love of the Lord that they would grow up and live for Him too. Later, she prayed for her granddaughters to know the Lord as their savior and not only to be good people but also godly.

Ellie worked in the lockers plant, General Feb in Pine City, and then the 1st State Bank of Rush City, now known as Unity Bank. She retired in June of 2006. In 2014 Ellie was diagnosed with IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) or hardening of the lungs. 

Two of Ellie's greatest loves in life were the Lord and music. Ellie spent many hours singing and praising throughout her life. She loved playing her marimba and singing gospel music.

Ellie is survived by her husband Rollin; son Darrin; daughter-in-law Jessica; daughter Danelle; grandchildren Tiffany, Hailey (Jesse Struckman), Melissa and Kaia; great-granddaughter Elaine Rose Struckman; sister Jeanette Kile; brothers-in-law Marv (Phyllis) Whittaker, Jim (Carolyn) Whittaker.

Ellie was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Lenny (Wavo) Lundberg, Ray (Esther) Lundberg.

Funeral services for Ellie: 11 AM; Friday, July 18, 2025 with a time for family and friends to gather planned for one hour prior to the service all at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City. The interment will take place in First Lutheran Cemetery, Rush City at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City, Olson Chapelwww.FuneralAndCremationService.com