ROCKLAND — Ethel M. Ausplund, 81, died Nov. 1, 2013, surrounded by her family, following a period of declining health, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

Born Nov. 11, 1931, in Rockland, she was the daughter of Capt. Roswell and Sadie Burns Eaton. Growing up in Rockport, she attended local schools and was a 1950 graduate of Rockport High School, where she was active in many sports and activities, as well as crowned Queen of Seaside Carnival. Following high school she attended Maine General Nursing School, earning her registered nurse’s degree.

On Aug. 16, 1953, she married Edward C. Ausplund Jr. at Rockport Methodist Church, and the couple made their first home in Colorado Springs, Colo., while Ed was stationed at Fort Carson. Moving to Glen Cove following her husband's military service, the family later moved to Granite Street in Rockland. In 1966 they moved to Warren, where they lived eight years before moving to Tenants Harbor. For more than 27 years, Ethel assisted her husband in the operation of his business, Art's Lobster, where she was known as “Gopher,” even putting that name on her license plate. The couple later resided in Rockland, until Mr. Ausplund's death in 2009.

Devoted to one another throughout their years, Ethel and Ed enjoyed area dances, traveling in their motor home, going on cruises and spending time at Sandy Shores. They spent many evenings playing cards with friends, and enjoyed going on Sunday afternoon rides together with all seven in the family car. Mrs. Ausplund was also an excellent cook, always making sure there was plenty to go around. She often made not just one batch of cookies, but 20. When her children were young, Ethel was a Cub Scout Den Leader and a health nurse for Maine School Administrative District 40, where she often volunteered in the schools.

She enjoyed knitting, crocheting and counted cross-stitch, also playing cards, cribbage and most recently word-finds.

Mrs. Ausplund was predeceased by her husband April 4, 2009; one sister, Dorothy Lord; and two brothers, Carl and David Eaton. Mrs. Ausplund is survived by one daughter, Jean A. Ramsdell and her husband, Stephen, of Warren; four sons and their wives, Steven E. and Victoria Ausplund, Mark F. and Rosanne Ausplund and David S. and Wanda Ausplund, all of Tenants Harbor, and Peter M. and Crystal Ausplund of South Thomaston; her sister, Cynthia Dauphin of Bath; her sisters-in-law, Elinor Emery and her husband, Desmond, of Camden, and Irene Eaton of Rockport; 10 grandchildren, Christopher Ramsdell, Amy Ramsdell, Rachael Morris, Chelsea Reed, Magan Poland, Michael Ausplund, Courtney Ausplund, Amelia Ausplund, Kali Dionne and Evan Ausplund; eight great-grandchildren, Roenan Ramsdell, Noah Morris, Adalaide Morris, Ed Reed, Dayton Poland, Hayzel Poland, Alexander Ausplund and Orion Dionne; one cousin, Bill Coiley of Rockport; as well as several nieces and nephews.

At Mrs. Ausplund's request, no services will be held.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care & Hospice, 170 Pleasant St., Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home in Rockland.