ELLINGSON, Keith M. (1957-2021)

ELLINGSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/4/2022 at 16:35:10

Keith Mervin Ellingson
(August 16, 1957 - May 14, 2021)

The legendary, Keith Mervin Ellingson, was born a devoted Green Bay Packer Fan on August, 16, 1957 to Mervin Ellingson & Lillian Jacobsen in Decorah, IA. In fourth grade he met a beautiful brown eyed girl and his future wife, Kristi Olson, they were each others greatest fans.
Keith graduated from Decorah High School in 1975, Luther College in 1979 and completed his masters at Western Illinois. Keith devoted over 30+ years as a coach, athletic director, physical education teacher and advisor across several campuses including Western Illinois, Simpson College, UW-Stout, Roosevelt High School and McKinley Elementary. Although retired, he was always coaching. Throughout his life he was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and was a regular usher at Saturday evening service. Keith enjoyed being physically active (biking & golf), loved the outdoors, spending time with his daughters and playing with his grandkids. He was diagnosed with Parkinsons shortly after Kristi passed. He courageously battled the disease and most recently Lewy Body dementia. Like Kristi, he took great pride in knowing the personal stories of the medical people that worked with him. Some of his greatest accomplishments include running sub 2:30 marathons, a founding member of the Luther College Fantasy Football League, being inducted into the Simpson College Hall of Fame and his three daughters.
He had a heart of gold and left a lasting impact on many. The athletes that he coached, the students he taught and anyone who crossed his path was likely fortunate enough to hear a story only Father Keith could tell. Those stories and his laugh will forever be missed.
He is survived by his all-star team daughters, Jessica (Joel) Hull, Catie Ellingson, Bailey (AJ) Nelson; grandchildren, Hayden, Leah and Lauren Hull, Tucker and Teddy Nelson; four grand-dogs; siblings, Lynette (Harold) Usgaard, Dennis (Louise) Ellingson, Connie (Loren) Amundson, Karla Ellingson Soland, Scott (Tricia) Ellingson; aunts, uncles + many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by the love of his life Kristi Lynn Ellingson (Olson); parents, Mervin and Lillian Ellingson.
Funeral Services for Keith, 63, who passed away on Friday, May 14, 2021 at Arbor Springs in West Des Moines, will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 20, 2021 at First Assembly of God Church. Cremation will follow services. You are welcome to attend in person or join the family on our livestream located on his obituary page of our website.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 19 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola with family present from 4 to 8 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Track and Cross-Country teams at Simpson College or Luther College in his name. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/