Eugene Ellis 1937-2000

OLSON, ELLIS, GILSON, MEYER, RUCKDASCHEL, HENRIKSEN, HAGEMAN, HARRIS, HELGERSON

Posted By: M. Durr - IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 7/12/2010 at 18:12:09

Funeral services for Eugene Ellis were held Wednesday, May 31, 2000 at 11 a.m. in the Community Presbyterian Church at Postville, Iowa. The Rev. Gary Catterson officiated. The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Clermont was in charge of arrangements. Casket bearers were Terry Meyer, Bruce Helgerson, Greg Helgerson, Brad Harris, Mike Ellis, Matt Ellis, Rick Ruckdashel, Tim Gilson, and Robert (Bill) Harris, Jr. Burial was in the Elgin Cemetery at Elgin, Iowa.

Kenneth Eugene Ellis, the son of Kenneth and Agnes (Olson) Ellis, was born December 27, 1937 at Auburndale, Wisconsin. He passed away Sunday night, May 28, 2000 in Palmer Lutheran Health Center at West Union, Iowa. He had reached the age of 62 years, five months and one day.

He was baptized at the Grace Lutheran Church in Green Valley Township, Marathon County, Wisconsin and confirmed in St. Paul Lutheran Church at Postville, Iowa. Gene attended the Evergreen Country School at Auburndale, Wisconsin. His family moved from Wisconsin to Iowa at the end of 1947. Gene was graduated from the Postville High School in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1959.

On June 12, 1960 he was married to Karen Diane Gilson at Waukon, Iowa. They were the parents of Danny, Heidi and Beverly.

Following his military service, Gene worked with his father in the blacksmith shop. He had also been employed as a police officer, at the Hygrade Plant in Postville, and owned the Ellis Grocery Store in Clermont. During his life time he sold insurance, feed, and monuments for the Winona Monument Company, and drove a school bus. In the last few years, Gene had taken classes and taught at Prairie View, the Residential Facility between West Union and Fayette. He was the Woodworking Supervisor and Vocational Trainer there.

He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Doris Meyer who died in 1994 and Jane Ruckdaschel who died in 1986, and brothers-in-law, Lyle Ruckdaschel and Robert (Bill) Harris, Sr.

Surviving are his wife, Karen, of Clermont, a son, Danny (Mary) of Clermont, a daughter, Heidi (Eric) Henriksen of Clermont, IA, and a daughter Beverly (Lee) Hageman of Ossian, IA. There are ten grandchildren: Tara, Megan, Devin, Amanda and Joshua Ellis; Lucas, Lynzee, and Landon Henriksen; Brittnee and BreeAnn Hageman; a brother, Dale (Connie) Ellis of Elgin, IA; two sisters, Donna Harris and Betty (Milo) Helgerson, all of Postville; three brothers-in-law, Gary (Karen) Gilson of Oelwein, IA, and David (Linda) Gilson of Des Moines, IA; and Harold (Hoot) Meyer, of Postville, IA; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Gene was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church at Postville.

Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, from my mother's obituary collection. Posted for genealogical purposes, contributor is not related.