Claudia Mae Andel

Claudia Mae (Ellsworth) Andel, age 94, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2026 surrounded peacefully by her loving family.

Claudia was born on August 5, 1932, in Hillhead, South Dakota, to Glenn and Adelaide (Reinertson) Ellsworth. At the age of five, her family moved to Britton, South Dakota, and later relocated to Breckenridge, Minnesota, when she was ten years old.

A lifelong woman of faith, Claudia was a devoted member of Breckenridge Lutheran Church, where she was confirmed and later married. On August 16, 1949, she married and created a life with, Walter Andel. Together they built a loving home and raised six children.

Claudia dedicated much of her life to caring for others. She worked at St. Francis Hospital from 1947 to 1951 and later served at St. Francis Nursing Home from 1951 until her retirement in 1994. In April 2010, Claudia became a resident of St. Francis Nursing Home, where she lived for the next sixteen years.

Family and friends will remember Claudia for her love of gardening, reading, sewing, crafts, puzzles, and flowers. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, including taking road trips to the casino and making cherished memories with those she loved most.

Claudia is survived by her Children, Gayle (Gene) Baker, Darrel (Claudia) Andel, Gary (Audrey) Andel, Connie Metcalf, Kristi (James) Smith, and David (Amy) Andel; her Sister-in-Law, Alice Ellsworth; Aunts Phyllis Carpenter, Stella Olson, and Evelyn Thymain; Uncle Leon (Mary) Reinertson; and close Friends Gabi (Elton) Lezon.

She is also survived by her Grandchildren: Cory (Molly) Baker, Kathy (Bill) Wuolu, Jessica Andel, Jackie (Jody) Hoefs, Jasmin (Matt) East, Kyle (Kaylein) Andel, Jason (Miranda) Andel, Jami Andel, Joe (Jessica) Metcalf, Seth Metcalf, Justan (Ashley) Metcalf, Tony (Becky) Crisman-Smith, Mikkol Smith (Eric Tesch), Fletcher (Nicole) Andel, Breanne (Sam) Hegg, and Carson Andel; as well as many beloved Great-Grandchildren and Great-Great-Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her Husband, Walter Andel; her Parents Glenn and Adelaide (Reinertson) Ellsworth, Brother, Stan Ellsworth; Sisters, Neva Neppl and Mavis Johannesen and Infant brother Errol Ellsworth; Brother-in-Laws, Kenny Neppl and Iver Johannesen; Michael Broadland (Connie).

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of St. Francis Nursing Home and CHI Hospice Home and Health for the compassionate care, kindness, and support they provided to Claudia throughout her years there.

Claudia's legacy of love, faith, hard work, and devotion to family will be cherished by all who knew her.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, August 24th at 11:00 a.m. at Breckenridge Lutheran Church, Breckenridge, Minnesota. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Wahpeton, North Dakota.

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