Memorial service for Ethel Davenport, 81, of New Leipzig, ND will be Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig. Rev. John Amundson will officiate and the burial of her ashes will follow at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in New Leipzig.

ETHEL EDITH SPRECHER was born March 15, 1933 on a farm north of New Leipzig, ND to Gottlieb and Amelia (Weller) Sprecher. She grew up in New Leipzig and graduated from New Leipzig High School in 1951. Following her graduation, she ventured out to see what the world had to offer. She rode the bus to Hollywood, CA, where she found a job working at the Pantages Theatre, which was known for its movie premieres. Many movie stars attended these events. It was a very exciting time for a young ND farm girl.

Ethel was united in marriage to Walter "Mickey" Davenport on December 16, 1951. Four children were born to this union, Jerry, Jim, Debra and Paul.

In 1967 Ethel became an employee of First State Bank, later known as Dakota Community Bank. She worked there for 30 years and cultivated many long lasting friendships with employees and customers. She enjoyed her work and her time there.

Vacation time found Mickey and Ethel traveling in their motor home to various places in Canada and the United States. They had many enjoyable memories. Often Grandma Melia or one of their children went with them.

Ethel's great pleasures in life were taking care of her home and her family. After her retirement she became caretaker for her mother and her husband. She had many memories of their time together.

Ethel was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig, ND. She regularly attended worship services there. It was her faith in God that sustained her through life.

Ethel passed away on Friday, February 6, 2015 at the Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin, ND.

Grateful for having shared her life are her three sons, Jerry Davenport, Sidney, MT; Jim Davenport, New Leipzig, ND; and Paul Davenport, St. Paul, MN; one daughter, Debra, (Dr. Mike) Hagan, Billings, MT; six grandchildren, Michelle (Kurt) Gordon, Jeri (Paul) Matthews, Chris, Shannon, Sarah, and Elliot Hagan, one great grandson, Jonathan Matthews; one sister, Irene Earhart, Benson, AZ; three sisters-in-law, Gertie Davenport, Coeur d'Alene, ID, Hazel Sitan Bernice Marquardt, Edmonds, WA and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mickey; her parents, Gottlieb and Amelia Sprecher; one brother, Arnold Sprecher; and one sister, Diana Anders.