Ellen Grabau

Ellen Marie Grabau died peacefully on September 20, 2014 at her home in Boulder, CO, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 27, 1941 on her family farm near Ostrander, MN. She was the daughter of Julius and Gladys (Larson) Olson and was baptized and confirmed at the Bloomfield Lutheran church located near her home. A 1959 graduate of Spring Valley public schools, Ellen married her high school sweetheart, Gary Christian Grabau, on July 24, 1959 at the Bloomfield Lutheran Church. They lived in Alexandria, VA, Minneapolis and Rochester, MN, and Lexington, KY before moving to Boulder in June of 1965. In addition to being the mother of four and grandmother of twelve, Ellen was a tax preparer for twenty one years until her retirement from H&R Block in 2006.

Ellen’s Christian faith and her family were the most important things to her. She was a longtime member of Atonement Lutheran Church, where she has served as a Sunday School teacher, church council member, women’s Bible study group officer, choir member and other church positions.

Ellen’s laughter and giggle were infectious. Her presence could light up a room. She passionately loved her family and friends. Even through her two month struggle with brain cancer, which eventually took her life, Ellen repeatedly told her family “Everything will be all right.” Her positive outlook and trust in God enabled Ellen to make the best of each situation.

Ellen grew up hearing her parents speak Norwegian. She loved all things Norwegian and excelled at making Norwegian pastries of many kinds. She spent many hours researching her family’s genealogy and writing two family history books. During this process, Ellen traveled to Norway where she became known and loved by her distant relatives. She was a member of the Sons of Norway, where she served as president, and was a member of the Norsemen of the Rockies.

Ellen enjoyed attending grandchildren’s activities. She was passionate about basketball as she watched her children and later grandchildren play. Her voice could be heard as she encouraged them to do their best. She also enjoyed sewing and gardening. Her home is filled with beautiful quilts, plants, Norwegian tapestries and pottery that she has made.

Ellen is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Gary; three sons, Craig of Louisville, Dan (Beckie) of Superior, Eric (Mindy) of Longmont; one daughter, Diane (Terry) Botkin of Longmont; twelve grandchildren, Jessica (Brian)Davis, Chase, Riley, Jonah, Hannah, Nathan, Megan, and Coltan Grabau, Zachary, Joshua, Benjamin and Grace Botkin; two step-great granddaughters, Seraphim and Lily Davis; two sisters, Julie Skogen and Sharon Mathison; three brothers, Richard, Robert and Philip Olson; many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Services will be held at Atonement Lutheran Church, 685 Inca Parkway, Boulder, on Thursday, September 25 at 10:30am. A reception will be held immediately after the service at the church with burial at Green Mountain Cemetery at 2:30pm. A visitation with family present will be held from 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday, September 24th at Crist Mortuary, 3395 Penrose Place, Boulder, CO. Memorials may be given to Atonement Lutheran Church, Tru Community Hospice, or the America Cancer Society. Crist Mortuary is handling arrangements.