Dennis Funeral Homes

ELLEN E. McGUIRE, age 75 of Elysian, died on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato following a courageous seven year battle with cancer.

Born on her family’s homestead known as The Sand Farm south of  Little Falls, Minnesota on December 28, 1935, Ellen was the daughter of Max and Ernestine (Beseman) Ganz.  She attended and graduated from Little Falls High School.  On August 20, 1955, she was married to Richard McGuire at Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls.  Throughout her life Ellen lived and worked in and around the Twin Cities, in Florida for a short time, and finally in the Waterville-Elysian area.  Over those years she worked for Rosemount Engineering in Eden Prairie, owned and operated the Wildwood Inn near Camp Ripley, and also owned and operated the Leprechaun Den and drive-in in Waterville.  Ellen enjoyed watching cooking shows, playing her concertina, baking, and working crossword puzzles.

Ellen is survived by her husband of nearly 56 years, Richard McGuire of Elysian; two sons, Kelly McGuire and his wife Tina of Faribault, and Pat McGuire and his wife Teri Kelly of Roanoke, VA; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by six siblings, Elmer Ganz and his wife Cathy of Wisconsin, Max Ganz of Montana, Bill Ganz and his wife Luetta of Verndale, MN, Betty Bittner of Princeton, MN, Dale Ganz and his wife Audrey of Isle, MN, and Carol Walters and her husband John of McGrath, MN; as well as many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and ten siblings.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00PM on Friday, August 19, 2011 at the Prosch-Dennis Funeral Home in Waterville.

Visitation will be held for one hour before the service at the funeral home on Friday.