Ellen (Stinar) Doty
Ellen (Stinar) Doty was born on September 29, 1953 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She passed at her sister’s (Cecilia Arneson) home in Shevlin, MN, on September 22, 2025. She passed, as she wanted, with her family by her side.
Ellen Started school at Sacred Heart elementary in East Grand Forks, then transferred to Ebro Elementary school, and then went on to graduate in 1971 from Bagley School. She was a majorette, a cheerleader, active in many school extracurricular activities – she was voted “Best Dressed” her senior year. She made many lifelong friends and her class reunions were her happy time.
Ellen, after graduating, enrolled in the Beauty School at St. Cloud. She graduated two years later and was hired at a small shop Bloomington. In 1973 she went to Work at The Barbers where she stayed until 1991. In 1991 she became independent and worked at the Galleria Hair Solon in Bloomington. Ellen was an accomplished business woman: She had business ventures that included being on the administrative board for the Condominium she owned, and on the Board for the Greenboro Town House Association where she and her husband (Craig) lived for 34 years. She also owned a Time Share at Clearwater Beach, FL. Her primary business skills were in the Sunrise Remodeling Business she and Craig owned. Ellen retired in 1973 when she her battle with cancer began
Ellen was always a person of strong faith. She attended St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Bloomington. Ellen was always ready to help in church activities, including teaching Sunday School to first graders. She also remained close to her childhood church at St. Joseph in Bagley. She would help her mother and sister with St. Joseph programs whenever possible.
Ellen met Craig Doty, the love of her life, in 1986 and they married in February 1987. From then on they were inseparable. Craig and Ellen ran their businesses together, golfed all over the world together, and went on five Cruises together – golfing at every stop that had a golf course. Ellen was very athletic; Craig could never beat her at Rachet Ball and it was five years before he could match her golf game. They lived their entire married life in Bloomington. At there Town House in Bloomington, Ellen used her expertise in gardening to beautify the town house grounds. Yet, with all her travels and “City” life, Ellen always enjoyed her trips home to the Bagley area where most of her family lived. She attended family functions, the fair, Cancer Relay for Life, and her class reunions.
Ellen’s bout with cancer began in 2002 when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Her treatment was successful, and it wasn’t until November 2022 that the Cancer returned – they found she had Breast Cancer and also Lung Cancer. A sign of Ellen’s strength of character is demonstrated by the fact that she always kept an unbelievably positive attitude – even when she learned the cancer had metastasized throughout her body, fractured both of her hips and fractured her leg, she still kept that positive attitude – and worried that she may be a burden to her family. Craig, her brother Fred and sister Cea were gratified to be able to be with Ellen and care, love and support her. Ellen wanted Fred and Cea close by – and Craig to be at her side constantly. She was at peace, with her loved ones at her side, as she ended her life journey.
Ellen was preceded in death by her mother, Marilyn, her father, Winfred, Sister Maureen, nephew Winfred John Arneson, great grandniece Morgan Stinar, and great grandniece Lexi Stinar. She is survived by husband Craig, Brother Fred and Sister Cea – and many nieces and nephews of three generations, cousins and Aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 1:30 – Service at 2:00 – at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bagley, MN. Sharing will be at the meal after the service.