Ellen R. Hotvedt, 81 , of Bemidji, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at  home in Fisher, MN.

Ellen Rae Farstad was born September 26, 1944 in Grand Forks, ND to Russell and Alice (Torgerson) Farstad. She was raised in East Grand Forks, graduating from Senior High School in 1962.

On October 26, 1962, Ellen married Stanley Hotvedt at Mendenhall Presbyterian Church. They began their family together in East Grand Forks, where they raised their three children.  In the fall of 1985, they moved to Bemidji, MN.

Ellen worked as a seamstress, spending some time working for C&R Laundry and Cleaners in Grand Forks and Anderson Fabrics in Blackduck, MN.   She also enjoyed sewing as a hobby. In her free time, Ellen enjoyed gardening, collecting rocks, and spending time watching and helping any animals she could find. She could often be found watching over the turtle eggs in the yard, protecting them until they hatched. She was also known for using her dishwasher to clean her collected rocks.  She had other hobbies too.  She learned to Knit and Crochet.  She belonged to the Ebro church for a few years where she learned beadwork from the Indian women.  She even went out collecting porcupine needles to use in the bead work.  She enjoyed thrift shopping and became good friends with the owner in one thrift store.

Ellen is survived by her husband, Stanley Hotvedt of Fisher, formerly of Bemidji; her children, Scott Hotvedt of Bemidji, MN, Cathy (Delmar) Peterson of Fisher, MN  and  Steve (Pam Zabrosky) Hotvedt of Maple Grove, MN;  sister, Carol (Wayne) Carlson of Grand Forks; grandchildren, Miranda (Nathan) Luke, Scott Hotvedt Jr., Sean Hotvedt, Stanley Hotvedt, Timothy Hotvedt, Mark Hotvedt, Jordan Hotvedt, Bryon (Gina Pax) Peterson, Nichole (Kane) Omlie, Ashley (Grant) Sundquist, Cocoa (Eric) Roeder, Kole Hotvedt; and her 12 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents Russell and Alice Farstad, sister MaryAnn Elstad and brother Dennis "Dano" Farstad.

VISITATION: 4:00 PM until time of PRAYER SERVICE at 5:30 PM, Sunday, October 5, 2025 at Dahl Funeral Home, 2029 Central Ave. NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721.

FUNERAL: 11:00 AM, Monday, October 6, 2025 at Fisher Lutheran Church, 205 2nd St. S., Fisher, MN, 56723 with visitation one hour prior at the church. Service will be live-streamed on Ellen's page at www.dandahlfuneralhome.com

INTERMENT: Fisher Lutheran Cemetery - Immediately Following Service

Full obituary to come, please check back.