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Ellen (O’Neill) Burdge of Fayetteville, NC, died two days before her birthday on Sunday, December 8, 2013. She was 93 years old.

Mary Ellen was born on December 10, 1919 in Fargo, ND to Clarence Hunter O’Neill and Alice Marie Olson.   Mary Ellen lived the majority of her life in North Dakota, Arizona and North Carolina. She also lived in Ohio and Oklahoma briefly. In her many years of life she enjoyed her family most of all but also had many talents that included painting, cooking, sewing, crafting, and gardening.

Traveling and exploring was something she always enjoyed – from England to Alaska to the Southwestern deserts of Arizona and many points in between.  She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her children: Nancy Strong of North Carolina, Ross (Jean) Ruland of Texas, Steve (Judith) Ruland of Texas, Mike (Thao) Ruland of Oregon, Kelly Moul of Arizona, and Boyd (Sheila) Ruland of Illinois; 27 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Doris O’Neill-Brown of California and several nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Kathleen Short; and brother, Clarence O’Neill.  She was married to Maurice Boyd Ruland and John Burdge who both preceded her in death.

A Memorial was held at Crosspoint Church, Fayetteville, NC, on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 5 p.m. under the direction of Adcock Funeral Home, Spring Lake, NC. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at Oakes View Cemetery, Oakes, ND with Dahlstrom Funeral Home in Charge.