Meredith Kay “Mickey” Ellsworth, 74, of Wells, MN, passed away at home on November 21, 2020 after 10 weeks of graciously and courageously battling brain cancer.  She was surrounded by family and comforted by their love.  A private family memorial service will be held on November 25 with arrangements being provided by the Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home.   The family is hopeful to hold a memorial celebration in the future; however nothing is planned at this time.

     Meredith was born in Albert Lea, MN, to James and Miriam (Osborn) McPherson on April 29, 1946.  She graduated from Saint Peter High School and obtained a degree in education from Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN.   While there, she met Gregory Jon Ellsworth while she was skateboarding and he shared his jacket with her.  They were married June 28, 1969 at the Presbyterian Church in Saint Peter.  They raised a family together and went on with their careers.

     From a family full of educators, Meredith began her career as an elementary teacher.  First in Saint Paul for a year, then to Wanamingo after she and Greg were married, and finally to Wells in 1974.  At that time her teaching career took a pause to focus on being a mother.  During that time she held a side job in a bowling alley partnership. She also fostered relationships and experiences with people in a wonderful small town.  Those relationships were instrumental in growing and shaping her family. In 1983 she returned to her true passion as an elementary teacher (mostly Kindergarten) in Alden, Minnesota and retired in 2008.   With a balance of compassion and discipline, she was able to touch many lives as an educator.

     Meredith was always providing for others with her time and talents.  Sewing and quilting was a special skill and passion that Meredith shared with those around her.   Her family’s houses are full of quilts that she made, keeping them warm with that special handmade “hug”.  She also used her sewing skills with a church group to make diapers to send on mission trips to Haiti.  At church she was dedicated to the bell and vocal choirs, supporting events and parishioners, and for many years had the special responsibility of using her resourcefulness to find “props” for the children’s word.   She was proud of her small part in seeing the Open Doors United Methodist Church serve the Lord, and even more proud when her whole flock of grandkids would fill the pews at Christmas or Easter.  Playing bridge, visiting attractions, or visiting with friends were favorite things for Meredith to do.   She also enjoyed traveling; Meredith spent many miles traveling the country to attend family reunions, to visit with friends or family, or simply to experience the American road.

     The family lake cabin in Hackensack, MN, was a special place for Meredith, as their family spent many full summers there.  She loved it as a place to relax, use her paddle boat, and be outside.  It also was a special place for the kids and grandkids to be together.  She loved watching them ski, fish, swim, play, and simply be at the cabin together.   Nothing brought her more joy than supporting her children and grandchildren; cheering at their sporting events, and showing them unconditional love.  The cabin will remain a special place for her family and her spirit will always be there.

     Meredith is survived by her husband Greg of Wells; 3 children: Brian (Angie) of Rochester, MN; Kathleen (Troy) Ellsworth-Hanson of Saint Michael, MN; Andrea (Abel) Dorado of Buffalo, MN; 10 grandchildren: Bennett, Addison, and Sheridan Ellsworth; Maddie, Spencer, A.J., and Joey Hanson; and Rachel, James, and Gabriel Dorado; brothers James McPherson of Princeton, NJ;  brother William (Barb) McPherson of Seattle, WA; sister Judy (Larry) Biederman of Saint Peter, MN;  brother David (Rebecca) McPherson of Albert Lea, MN; and brother John McPherson of Washington D.C., as well as beloved nieces and nephews.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Donald McPherson, her sister-in-law Pat (James) McPherson, and her parents- in-law Kenneth and Rachel Ellsworth.

     Memorial donations may be made to in Meredith’s name to Open Doors United Methodist Church, 595 1st Avenue SW, Wells, MN, 56097, to a charity of the donor’s choosing, or the family use donations and determine a memorial.

     The family wishes to extend a sincere thank you for all the thoughts, prayers, love, and support shown to all of us during the months of Mom’s battle with cancer; including extended family and friends, Wells community members, the staff at Parkview Care Center, the hospice team at Blue Earth United Hospital Hospice, and the members of Open Doors United Methodist Church.