Major Marie Agnes Ellsworth

Major Marie Agnes Ellsworth

Born: November 27, 1945, Valley City, North Dakota

Promoted to Glory: September 30, 2025, Ignite Health Resort

Major Marie Agnes Ellsworth was Promoted to Glory on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at the Ignite Health Resort, where she was receiving physical and occupational therapy. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Agnes and Eugene Ellsworth.

She is survived by her sister, Major Lois (Joseph) Wheeler; her niece, Sarah DiMaso; her nephews, Stephen Wheeler and Captain Andrew Wheeler; ten great-nieces and nephews; and four great-great-nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, at The Salvation Army, 14700 E. Truman Rd, Independence, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, Independence, Missouri.

Major Ellsworth graduated from Flasher North Dakota High School in 1964. She was commissioned and ordained as an officer of The Salvation Army on June 13, 1966, as a member of the Defenders of the Faith Session. Her first appointment was as Assistant Corps Officer of the Omaha South Corps in the Western Division. In November 1967, she was appointed Assistant Corps Officer for the Fargo, North Dakota Corps.

Promoted to Captain on June 26, 1968, Major Ellsworth served on the staff of The Salvation Army Booth Memorial Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, for eight years. From June 1976 to September 1984, she continued her service at Booth Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. From September 1984 until her retirement on November 30, 2011, she served at The Salvation Army Central Territorial Headquarters in the Office of the Territorial Commander as Secretary, with an additional appointment as Administrative Assistant to the President of Women’s Ministries. During her years in the Chicago area, she worshipped at the Norridge Citadel Corps.

In retirement, Major Ellsworth was a devoted member of both the Bismarck, North Dakota, and Independence, Missouri Corps, frequently volunteering in the office and supporting the food pantry. She was known for her generosity and industriousness, creating blankets, scarves, lap robes, crocheted items, and plastic canvas needlepoint for family, friends, nursing home residents, and the homeless.

Major Ellsworth was a faithful tither and supported numerous charitable organizations, including Easterseals, the American Lung Association, Shriners Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, City Union Mission, Heifer International, Navigators, Boys Ranch, American Bible Society, Our Daily Bread Ministries, Campus Crusade for Christ, and her beloved Salvation Army. Her primary commitment was to The Salvation Army, where she was deeply concerned that its mission to share the Gospel of Christ and serve suffering humanity without discrimination would continue.

Major Marie Agnes Ellsworth’s life was marked by unwavering faith, dedicated service, and compassionate outreach. Her legacy will endure in the lives of those she touched.