Ellen Fransen, 89, of Hazelton, ND, died Friday, September 30, 2016 at Linton Hospital, Linton, ND.Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at the Hazelton Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Geary Dodd officiating. Cremation has taken place, and no visitation will be held. Private graveside services will take place at a later date.Ellen Joan Kurtz was born on July 8, 1927 to Stanley and Frances (Baker) Kurtz in Emmons County, ND. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Hazelton High School in 1945. She married Carl Fransen and they made their home on the Fransen farm east of Hazelton.Mom worked hard on the farm and also worked as the parts manager at 3 different farm dealerships for 23 years. For a short time she was an aide at the Hazelton School, a school bus driver, and a bartender. She was a 4-H leader, belonged to a Homemaker's Club and organized and worked the concession stand at the Hazelton Rodeo for many years. She was involved in many variety shows as she had a wonderful singing voice.After moving to Hazelton she continued sewing, quilting, baking and took up painting. Ellen was on countless committees and served as the town mayor, the first female mayor in all of North Dakota. For 42 years she was secretary of the Hazelton Cemetery Association, one of her many volunteer jobs. She worked hard to keep her beloved town alive. The day before she died, she was still volunteering at the Hazelton Coffee Shop.Ellen is survived by her 2 sons, Richard (Diane) of Mobridge, SD; Roger (special friend Linda Hutchenson) Vancouver, WA; her daughter, Beth (Fred) Binkowski, of Linton; 3 grandchildren, Wyatt (Tammy) Fransen of Bismarck, ND, Jodi (Scott) Deutch of Vancouver, and Aleah (Ryan) Binkowski-Burk of Portland, OR; 3 great-grandchildren, Makenna Deutsch, Bodhi and Reed Binkowski-Burk; her brother, Philip of Steele, ND; and many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Jeanne and 2 brothers, Wayne and Howard.