ELLEN L. PRITCHARD
April 6, 1924 ~ February 9, 2010 

     Ellen L. (Saunders) Pritchard, a long time resident of Park Rapids and Osage, was promoted into Glory on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, Minnesota.
     Ellen was born on April 6, 1924 in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. She was one of nine children (seven boys and two girls). She graduated from high school in Pine River, Minnesota. Ellen married David Pritchard on April 22, 1944. David had come to serve the community church in Pequot Lakes while he was still in Bible College, and Ellen married the pastor! They were the second couple to be married in the new church. On September 1, 1945, they received their Certificate of Commission from the American Missionary Fellowship, and began their missionary service in Devils Lake, North Dakota. There weren’t any missionaries in that area for many years before David and Ellen arrived. They had to raise their own money to live on, to purchase supplies, and all mission expenses. Ellen said their theme song became the chorus: “Got any rivers you think are uncrossable, got any mountains you can’t tunnel through, God specializes in things that are impossible; He does things others cannot do”. They were later called to Dickinson where they organized Bible studies, Sunday Schools, and another Bible Camp in the Killdeer Mountain area. Starting the Bible Camps with only tents, it is now today, a full camp complete with cabins and conference center. Throughout the course of one summer season, they conducted 25 different Bible schools. They started the Wood Lake Camp in Devils Lake, the FAith, HOpe, CHArity (FAHOCHA) Bible Camp, Camp Joy and many others. Ellen was the chief cook and bottle washer, teacher and helpmate along with making uncounted loaves of fresh bread, rolls and bismarks for hungry campers. Whatever home they had, was open to all comers with good food, lots of laughter and the sure knowledge that Christ was the head of their home. Ellen and David retired to the 40 acres originally owned by the Pritchard family near Osage. They built a house and continued with missionary work and preaching. After David died in 1997, Ellen stayed on the farm two more years and then moved to Court Apartments and later to Heritage Living Center. 
     Ellen is survived by three brothers, Chet, Lyle and Leo. Memorials should be directed to FAHOCHA Bible camp in Devils Lake, North Dakota or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
     She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
     Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, February 14, 2010 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, with Pastor Bert Holmquist officiating. Pastor Bert and Lana Holmquist will sing, “Heaven’s Sounding Sweeter” and “Jesus Will Outshine Them All”. Dorothy Crook will be the organist. The congregational hymns will be: “It Is Well With My Soul” and “I Will Serve Thee, Because I Love Thee”. The casket bearers will be: Gary Pritchard, Bill Christlieb, Jeff Christlieb, Mark Magnuson, Dave Pritchard and Ed Pritchard. Interment will be made during a memorial service in the spring at Riverside Cemetery in Osage, Minnesota. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. To leave online condolences, visit www.jonespearson.com.