Ella Elizabeth (Hoover) Topp
1916-2012
The story of Ella Topp begins in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan where Harvey and Amelia (Peterson) Hoover, married six years, Minnesotans farming in Canada, welcomed the first of four children.
The named their firstborn Ella Elizabeth. Ella would remember the family’s move from their life on the Saskatchewan Prairie to their life in the woods of Minnesota through the prism of a beautiful Christmas night. That night would punctuate their last winter in Moose Jaw and the memory of that Christmas was etched forever in her young heart forever. In fact, Christmas always did seem to live in Ella’s heart.
Ella learned responsibility in the home and loved everything about school. From the “little school on the prairie in Moose Jaw” she attended the school in Mildred, between Pine River and Backus, Minnesota. Ella also had a deep receptivity for the things of God, the fruit of deeply devoted Christian parents from diverse Christian traditions. Ella recalled “I was nine years of age when at a children’s meeting at an evangelical church in Mildred I gave my heart to the Lord.”
Following her graduation from Pine River High School in 1932 at the age of 16, having skipped a few grades because she was so intelligent, Ella attended a one-year Normal Teaching School to prepare for her life’s work as a teacher. She would return one year later to teach in her old school in Mildred and later in Blind Lake, Minnesota.
One day, she was introduced to Arnold Topp, a friend and co-worker of her brother Earl. And thus began their courtship. At what seemed the right time to Ella, she addressed Arnold in a straight-forward demeanor, “I don’t know about you, but I intend to get married.” On June 8, 1942, Arnold and Ella were married in Duluth.
Following their marriage, Arnold and Ella moved to the Scandia Valley area where the Topps made their livelihood in farming and Ella taught for a few years at the Rail Prairie School and Scandia Valley. She learned generosity and the joy of giving from her husband Arnold who believed that when money flowed into his hands it was to flow into the Lord’s hands. Ella would continue in that path until her dying day.
Ella was gracious and generous soul, highly intelligent, never shy to speak, opinionated, and somewhat stubborn. She always had a heart for the underdog and was forever giving everyone else credit and resisting any praise that might flow toward her.
When she and Arnold began their family, Ella suspended her teaching career for a season to raise their two daughter’s Mary and Linda. She was a good mother and always supportive. She raised her daughters to be independent and instilled in them the value of an education. At one point, she and Linda attended St. Cloud State University together where Ella culminated with a Bachelors Degree from St. Cloud State. Ella was never finished learning and always eager and ready to embrace the next educational opportunity.
As a teacher, Ella was exceptional with children on both ends of the spectrum, the most gifted and the most challenged. She taught in Staples for many years, even serving as principal for one year, and was awarded Teacher of the Year 1967. She seemed to have a way with kids and kept track of her students beyond their time in her classroom. Ella retired from teaching in 1975 after thirty years of service.
Ella’s husband Arnold died quite unexpectedly in 1979, but she bounced back quite well. In retirement, Ella remained very active. She collected antiques and loved going to auctions. She was a member of the Lincoln Ladies Aid, Motley Historical Society, Motley Study Club, the Motley United Methodist Women, Alpha Circle, and Grand People, and of course, the Motley United Methodist Church. Ella taught Sunday School and did arts and crafts at Vacation Bible School for years. Ella loved the church, served on nearly every committee, and was always challenging the people with special projects, especially UMW and Caring ministries team. When she wanted to see something happen, she got on the phone and led. You could not say, “No” to Ella.
One time, she was inspired to write a grant for a special training event to educate care givers and health care workers. Ella believed in the power of the Hope and Healing Service at Christmas time to soothe the grief of many souls and often did the table decorations for that event. She continued to visit people in their homes as long as she was able. And Ella was always mindful of those who needed a lift. It was not uncommon for her to put $100 bill anonymously in the mail with a note, “From a friend.” Ella was indeed a friend to everyone.
Ella loved Minnesota history and studied the life of Abraham Lincoln. She was certainly the greatest historian Motley has ever had. She read hundreds of old newspapers and compiled thousands of stories and pictures of the people who came to Motley and settled here. This book “The Right Side of the River” is an insightful venture into the heart and history of Motley. She was inspired to write it for the l987 Motley Centennial. It took three years of dedicated hard work and the help of many people who shared pictures, books, remembrances and family history. She was also hostess for the historical Centennial events like the Pageant, the Grand Opening at the Castle, the style show, and the tea for the founding families. She worked side by side with The Centennial History Committee, including Edward Morey, Edna Hayes, and Betty Lou Irwin.
Ella helped establish the Motley Area Historical Society whose goal it is to pass on Motley’s History to future generations. In 2010, she was instrumental in organizing “The Gathering” in which Motley families shared their own personal histories. To get people interested in The Gathering, Ella wrote many letters and made many personal calls to people whose ancestors helped shaped Motley. She made several displays for The Gathering and had the idea of making a DVD to share and preserve the history of the Motley’s newspapers called “Printer’s Ink Saves Motley”. She also instigated the filming of “The Gathering” for an additional DVD.
Her other historical pursuits included two editions “The History of Methodism in Motley” (updated in 2006 on the occasion of the church’s 125th anniversary), “A Chosen Place,” chronicling the history of Lincoln, Rail Prairie, and Scandia Valley, and “Once Upon a Time,” a part autobiographical sketch of Ella’s family story.
She did all this historical work longhand. When she was doing research the card table was up and covered with source material. Just ask her beloved grandson Jason, who spent many a summer at the farm, Ella’s companion through many researching and writing historical endeavors. As Jason grew, she invested in his education buying his first computer and followed and rejoiced in his progress closely. Ella was thrilled to be in attendance Jason’s wedding to Deanna in Colorado in 2007 and to become a great-grandmother to Caden, and little Ella, who would carry on her name for another generation.
In 1998, Ella moved from the farm in Scandia Valley to her home on Ash Street in Motley, strategically located down from the old church. Dear friend Pat Frisk, who had once lived with her husband and raised four boys in the house, worked ceaselessly to transform the home for Ella. A beautiful wooden cross made by Paul Beers adorned the hearth.
In the summer of 2012, she suffered ill health and it became apparent that her earthly journey was coming to a close. She accepted this reality completely and hoped she wouldn’t have to linger in this world long. Death was not a foe to fight against, but a friend to embrace. During those few weeks, she was lovingly attended to by her daughters and blessed by the company of many who came to visit, offer their prayers, and say their “thank yous” and “goodbyes.” She died October 21, 2012. A friend of Ella’s was awakened in the middle of that night . Aware of the coming of Haley’s comet, she was beckoned to the deck to see what she could see. She was awed by stars so vivid, the night sky so magnificently beautiful. Her thoughts turned toward Ella and her longing to go to heaven. “Lord,” she prayed, “take Ella to the beautiful place you have prepared for her.” Just then, a brilliant star fell from the sky and she was filled with gratitude. The next day, she learned of Ella’s passing from Ella’s daughter Mary at precisely the moment the star fell. They both were in awe and believe the event most hold a special meaning.
Ella has fought the good fight. She has completed the race. Many people will miss her. Thanks be to God who graciously shared the life of Ella Topp with us for 96 years, for the many contributions she brought to our lives, for the memories of her we’ll have with us forever.
Written by Pastor Greg Ciesluk, Motley United Methodist Church