Ella D. O’Connell, age 87 of Stillwater, died peacefully in the morning of Thursday August 19th, 2010 at her residence at Croixdale in Bayport. Ella was born on September 8, 1922 in Stillwater; the daughter of George and Idella (Hovde) Barnholdt. She was raised in Stillwater attending Nelson Elementary prior to graduating from Stillwater High School. In 1947, she was united in marriage to Robert M. O’Connell in Stillwater. Ella was all about her family. Cooking and entertaining for friends gave her wonderful memories, but it was making the family meal, being surrounded by those she loved, which gave her the utmost pleasure. She had great taste and enjoyed shopping for the latest styles. She thoroughly enjoyed volunteering for Lakeview Hospital and golfing with her friends.  Mostly, she appreciated spending time with her friends and bridge club over a game of cards and lunch. Recently, she enjoyed wintering with her husband down south in the Gulf Shores.

Ella will be fondly remembered by her husband of 63 years, Robert, children Linda (Pat) O’Donnell, Robert C. (Candace) O’Connell, Timothy O’Connell, Kerri (Jim) O’Connell-Adami, grandchildren Ryan (Natasha), Tim, Trisha, Erin (Josh), Abby (Phil), Troy (Michelle), Scott, Christy (Aaron), Ben, Jake, Sam, Tony, step grandchildren Kaeleigh, Shaina, Alex, several great grandchildren, sister Ruthie (Kelly) Brookman, brother Don (Janet) Barnholdt, brother in-law Thomas (Janet) O’Connell, and sister-in-law Margaret “Peg” Schullo. She is preceded in death by her beloved daughter Patty Carlen who she dearly missed; daughter-in-law Trudy O’Connell, siblings Helen (Neal) Moen, and Fred (Alice) Barnholdt.

Mass Of Christian Burial for Ella will be 11AM Tuesday August 24th at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Stillwater. Burial will be in the St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Hudson with her grandchildren serving as active casketbearers and great grandchildren as honorary casketbearers. She adored all her grandchildren.  Visitation will be on Monday from 5 until 7PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson as well as one hour prior to the mass at church. Memorials are preferred.