Ellen Ann McGill, 94, of Stewartville, Minn., passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, January 16, 2026, following a short illness with lung cancer.
Ellen Ann Frisbie was born on April 4, 1931, in Racine Township, Mower County, Minn., to Samuel and Dorothy (Flynn) Frisbie. She grew up on the family farm in rural Stewartville and graduated from Stewartville High School in 1949, where she was a proud member of the school band. As a teenager, Ellen worked at the Lake Theater in Stewartville.
On January 5, 1953, Ellen was united in marriage to John P. “Jack” McGill at St. John’s Catholic Church in Rochester, Minn. They lived in Fort Worth, Tex., and Minneapolis, Minn., before moving to rural Chatfield, Minn., where they began dairy farming. In 1961, they moved to the McGill family farm in rural Spring Valley, Minn., where they continued farming and raised their family. They later divorced. Ellen then moved to Stewartville to care for her mother.
Ellen was a dedicated homemaker and also worked outside the home throughout her life. Over the years, she was employed as a phone operator in Rochester, Minn., Fort Worth, Tex., and Minneapolis, Minn.; a waitress at the 7th Rib in Racine, Minn., held assembly positions at IBM, sales for the Spring Valley Tribune and the Post Bulletin Agri-News. She was last employed with Larson Siding and Windows of Rochester, Minn., where she worked for 23 years as an office assistant and sales coordinator. Remarkably, Ellen continued working until the age of 88.
Ellen played trumpet in the Stewartville Community Band for many years and was a member of the Science Hill Birthday Club with her neighborhood friends. She was an active and devoted 4-H mom while her children were growing up. She was always a supportive mom with a listening ear. Ellen was an avid reader as well as enjoyed painting, ceramics, vegetable gardening, and loved flower gardening. She truly looked forward to hosting family celebrations and holidays – especially her annual July 4th celebration with family and friends. She went on many memorable car rides with her family and friends as she was always up for an adventure – even riding in a hot air balloon to celebrate her 90th birthday. She treasured time spent visiting with friends and neighbors and, most of all, cherished her time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She dearly loved her family – each filling her heart with pride and joy! She was loved beyond measure and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
A HUGE thank you to St. Croix Hospice for their caring and kind support to Ellen and family during her last two weeks with us.
Ellen is survived by her eight children: Kevin (Patty) McGill of Spring Valley, Terry McGill (Jill Riess) of Racine, Gerald “Pat” (Lana) McGill of Rochester, Sharon McGill (Joe Ziegler) of Stewartville, Margaret “Maggie” (Rob) Zimny of Rochester, Mary Moen of Rochester, Brian “Bud” (Angie) McGill of Stewartville, and Neil (Karman) McGill of Racine. Ellen is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Kari McGill, Nate McGill, Shelby (Ben) Gerlesberger, Josh (Kristin) McGill, Shane (Tara) Moen, Andrew McGill, Matt (Madalyn) Moen, Clarissa Zimny (Chandler Frank), Brook McGill, Tia McGill, and Nolan Zimny (Allie Rahman); 10 great-grandchildren: Connor, Kylie, Collin, Elliot, Brynlee, Khloe, Harper, Hazel, Hudson, and Elijah, with one great-grandchild on the way; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, infant son John Bradley McGill, granddaughter Courtney McGill, and son-in-law Dale Moen.
A time of visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 4:30-7 p.m. at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. A private family burial and committal service will be held at Sumner–Millet Cemetery in Sumner Township, Minn. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Ellen may be shared at www.griffin-gray.com.
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