R. Truman Ellefson 1925-2005

BUSNESS, ELLEFSON, BILLINGS, KROTZ, BEAM, PETERS

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 8/16/2005 at 14:37:46

R. Truman Ellefson

R. Truman Ellefson, 80, of Wyoming, Iowa, died Monday, July 25, 2005, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids surrounded by family, following a courageous battle with emphysema. Funeral services were held Thursday, July 28, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Oxford Junction, with the Rev. Keith Larson and Pastoral Associate Barbara Tobiason officiating. Burial was in the Wyoming Cemetery, Wyoming, with military honors accorded by the American Legion Wapsie Post 473 of Oxford Junction. Lahey Funeral Home in Wyoming was in charge of arrangements.

R. Truman Ellefson was born January 29, 1925, in Bagley, Minn., son of Roy and Alice (Busness) Ellefson. Truman was raised in rural Allamakee County and graduated from Waterville High School. He served in World War II as Radar 3rd Classman in the US Navy.

He married Lydia Anne Billings January 7, 1956, in Delhi, Iowa. Truman received his BA in history at Upper Iowa University and over the next 33 years taught science and was a basketball coach at Lone Rock, Delhi, Greeley, and Wyoming, retiring in 1982. He was a house painter in the Wyoming area for many years.

Truman has made many contributions to his community. He was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and the American Legion Wapsie Post 473, Oxford Junction. He was a past member of the Lutheran Church Council and served as Luther League sponsor and Sunday School Superintendent for several years. He was a member of the Midland Teacher’s Association and served on the salary committee for ISEA. Truman also was instrumental in establishing the Wyoming Boy Scout Troop and assisted with Wyoming Fair planning. Over the years his hobbies have included fishing, bowling, gardening, and HO train collecting. Truman was a wonderful husband and an excellent father and grandfather. He touched many lives during his time with us. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Surviving is his wife of 49 years, Lydia Ellefson of Wyoming; a son and daughter-in-law, Nathan and Deb Ellefson of Wyoming; a daughter, Tammy Krotz of Wyoming; three grandchildren, Zachary and Cody of Wyoming, and Jeramie Ellefson of Hiawatha; an aunt, Frances Busness of Waukon; brothers-in-law Bruce (Em) Billings and Bill (Marge) Billings of Delhi; sister-in-law Wanita Beam of Kansas City, Mo.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Marion Peters; and a brother, Verdun Ellefson.

Special family and friends assisting as pallbearers were Daryl Busness, Bruce Billings, Jeramie Ellefson, Zachary Krotz, Larry Peters, and Gary Heiar. Honorary pallbearers were Brian Ellefson, Dennis Eichhorn, Bill Billings, Terry Williams, and Ferdinand Burda.

In lieu of flowers, an R. Truman Ellefson memorial fund will be established.

Waukon Standard, August 3, 2005