Ellen Faith Weinberg passed away from aggressive brain cancer on December 29, 2025 in Moorhead, MN. Born on January 29, 1956 in New York, New York, Ellen led a life marked by intellectual curiosity, professional dedication and passionate advocacy.
Ellen’s academic journey reflected her deep love for knowledge and history. She earned a degree in ancient history from the University of Iowa in May 1977 and went on to complete a degree in library science at Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1978. Her commitment to learning continued when she pursued legal studies at Hamline University School of Law from August 1990 to August 1993.
Her professional career was as diverse as it was impactful. Ellen began as Director of the Eagle Grove Memorial Library in Iowa from March 1981 to May 1986. She then served as a reference librarian at the Cumberland County Public Library in North Carolina until July 1990. After passing the bar exams in Minnesota (1994), Iowa (1995) and Wisconsin (1995), she embarked on a legal career that spanned three decades.
From September 1995 to May 2006, Ellen worked as a staff attorney with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She then entered solo practice focusing primarily on family law from November 2006 through June 2016. Her commitment to public service continued with Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota from July 2016 to April 2017 and later with Anishinabe Legal Services in Cass Lake from October 2018 until January 2025.
Ellen’s passions extended well beyond her professional life. She had an abiding love for dogs, Mozart’s music, Chaucer’s writings, chocolate treats and the study of ancient history. Her convictions were strong and clear-she was outspoken in her opposition to Donald Trump and supported causes aligned with justice and peace.
She was deeply connected to her Jewish heritage and community. Ellen was both a member and a board member of Temple Beth El in Fargo and maintained remote membership with Agudas Achim synagogue in Coralville, Iowa. A lifetime member of Hadassah, she also engaged actively with local cultural organizations including the Sons of Norway in Fargo, the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead and the Red River Zoo in Fargo.
She shared her life with many beloved pets, including numerous birds and six cherished dogs: Snoopy, a mixed breed, basset hound Bart, golden retrievers Toby, Charlie and Lady, and Newfoundland Jill who is living with friends in Detroit Lakes, MN.
Ellen is remembered by her sister and brother-in-law, Sue Weinberg and Robert Armstrong, of Coralville, Iowa, along with numerous cousins who shared her life’s journey.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Irene and Stanley Weinberg.
Graveside services and burial will be noon Friday, January 2nd at Ottumwa Jewish Cemetery with Rabbi Jeff Portman and Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz co-officiating.
Memorial services will be held at a later date in Fargo with Rabbi Janeen Kobrinsky officiating.
May Ellen’s memory bring comfort to those who knew her and inspiration to those who continue the work she held dear.
Memorial contributions may be made to a humane society; an Israel-oriented charity; the American Society of Overseas Research (formerly the American School of Oriental Research), or another organization dedicated to ancient history; or any party or organization peacefully working to block Donald Trump.
