1936
James
2015
James Ellingson
March 2, 1936 — August 3, 2015
James Ellingson, 79, of Ashby, died Monday, August 3, 2015, at his home under the care of Knute Nelson Hospice.
James Benjamin Ellingson did not come into this world easily. Stubbornly refusing to enter the traditional headfirst method, he entered feet first, kicking and crying his way into the bedroom of his family farmhouse on March 2, 1936 into the arms of mother Louise (Koefod) and care of father, Leonard Ellingson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Pelican Lake Lutheran church. He graduated from Ashby High School in 1954 and attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He enlisted in the Army and trained as an airplane mechanic. He volunteered for the 101st Airborne, satisfying his adventurous spirit as he jumped into the blue skies and quietly drifted to the earth below. He recollected frequently on this experience.
On October 7, 1961 James married Lois Corinne (Sivertson) at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Dalton. After a short stint on the farm, they moved to Moorhead where he began working in construction and later to Fridley where he was employed through the Local 49 Union. In 1970, James moved his family back to Ashby where he and Lois ran the Ashby Meat Market living in the upstairs apartment. He made a final move back to the farm after his father's stroke. He commuted weekly to Minneapolis working in heavy equipment operations for 30 years.
In 1976, James enlisted in the Army Reserve as Sergeant and reached the rank of Staff Sergeant First Class. During his 20 years of service, he trained in Alaska and Camp Ripley, retiring in 1996. He became a member of the American Legion. He was a patriot and proud American.
James' natural leadership turned camping and canoeing adventures with the boy scouts into life lessons: pay attention to details; master the artistry in a perfectly executed J stroke, a campfire needs good songs and good stories. He was a certified scuba diver instructor, participated in local political campaigns, taught Confirmation Sunday School, and sang in the church choir.
James was an avid hunter and passionate conservationist respecting the rhythms of nature. The hunting experience at the Ellingson farm is one shared with many friends and family. Tree planting was a lifelong obligation, a beautiful gift he has left behind.
James spent countless hours reading a spectrum of literature. He especially enjoyed history and was continually posing questions and thoughts regarding what has gone on before. He loved discussion of recently read topics and many times, the kitchen table became a podium of debate over politics, history, religion, and current events.
James' loyalty was raw, and his love was fierce. His family always knew Jimmy was in their corner, and he dedicated his life to providing for his wife and children with everything he was. He has left them rich in Jimmyisms: Dress appropriately for the job at hand; always wear a bobby pin in your hair when traveling; sometimes it's good to be the goat.
A blue moon, northern lights and cool summer morning found James at home in his farmhouse bedroom surrounded by wife and children as he fought the good fight till the end on August 3, 2015. Illness lost that day. Jimmy took a last breath and jumped into the blue skies of the next world, this time, without a parachute.
Greeting him at his landing are father and mother; his beloved son Dean; and his sister Elaine Edlund of Houston, Texas.
He leaves behind his wife Lois, and 4 children; Lori (Mike) Risbrudt, Bruce (friend Julie Dinius), Kari (David) Oxford, and Brit (Todd) Finkelson. Also mourning his death are his 11 grandchildren, Kelsey, Dylan, Drew and Sawyer Risbrudt, Elise, Ava and Harrison Oxford, Grant, Vincent, Olive and Milton Finkelson as well as many nieces and nephews.
Blessed be the memory of James Benjamin Ellingson.
Visitation: 5 - 7 PM Friday, with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service, at First Presbyterian Church in Ashby, and one hour prior to services.
Memorial Service: 1 PM Saturday, August 8, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church in Ashby
Clergy: Pastor Tom Junkert
Interment: Pelican Lake Cemetery
James's Folder
James Benjamin Ellingson did not come into this world easily. Stubbornly refusing to enter the traditional headfirst method, he entered feet first, kicking and crying his way into the bedroom of his family farmhouse on March 2, 1936 into the arms of mother Louise (Koefod) and care of father, Leonard Ellingson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Pelican Lake Lutheran church. He graduated from Ashby High School in 1954 and attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He enlisted in the Army and trained as an airplane mechanic. He volunteered for the 101st Airborne, satisfying his adventurous spirit as he jumped into the blue skies and quietly drifted to the earth below. He recollected frequently on this experience.
On October 7, 1961 James married Lois Corinne (Sivertson) at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Dalton. After a short stint on the farm, they moved to Moorhead where he began working in construction and later to Fridley where he was employed through the Local 49 Union. In 1970, James moved his family back to Ashby where he and Lois ran the Ashby Meat Market living in the upstairs apartment. He made a final move back to the farm after his father's stroke. He commuted weekly to Minneapolis working in heavy equipment operations for 30 years.
In 1976, James enlisted in the Army Reserve as Sergeant and reached the rank of Staff Sergeant First Class. During his 20 years of service, he trained in Alaska and Camp Ripley, retiring in 1996. He became a member of the American Legion. He was a patriot and proud American.
James' natural leadership turned camping and canoeing adventures with the boy scouts into life lessons: pay attention to details; master the artistry in a perfectly executed J stroke, a campfire needs good songs and good stories. He was a certified scuba diver instructor, participated in local political campaigns, taught Confirmation Sunday School, and sang in the church choir.
James was an avid hunter and passionate conservationist respecting the rhythms of nature. The hunting experience at the Ellingson farm is one shared with many friends and family. Tree planting was a lifelong obligation, a beautiful gift he has left behind.
James spent countless hours reading a spectrum of literature. He especially enjoyed history and was continually posing questions and thoughts regarding what has gone on before. He loved discussion of recently read topics and many times, the kitchen table became a podium of debate over politics, history, religion, and current events.
James' loyalty was raw, and his love was fierce. His family always knew Jimmy was in their corner, and he dedicated his life to providing for his wife and children with everything he was. He has left them rich in Jimmyisms: Dress appropriately for the job at hand; always wear a bobby pin in your hair when traveling; sometimes it's good to be the goat.
A blue moon, northern lights and cool summer morning found James at home in his farmhouse bedroom surrounded by wife and children as he fought the good fight till the end on August 3, 2015. Illness lost that day. Jimmy took a last breath and jumped into the blue skies of the next world, this time, without a parachute.
Greeting him at his landing are father and mother; his beloved son Dean; and his sister Elaine Edlund of Houston, Texas.
He leaves behind his wife Lois, and 4 children; Lori (Mike) Risbrudt, Bruce (friend Julie Dinius), Kari (David) Oxford, and Brit (Todd) Finkelson. Also mourning his death are his 11 grandchildren, Kelsey, Dylan, Drew and Sawyer Risbrudt, Elise, Ava and Harrison Oxford, Grant, Vincent, Olive and Milton Finkelson as well as many nieces and nephews.
Blessed be the memory of James Benjamin Ellingson.
Visitation: 5 - 7 PM Friday, with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service, at First Presbyterian Church in Ashby, and one hour prior to services.
Memorial Service: 1 PM Saturday, August 8, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church in Ashby
Clergy: Pastor Tom Junkert
Interment: Pelican Lake Cemetery
James's Folder
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