Ellingson, Darwin D. -- 1924 - 2000

CHASE, ELLINGSON, FRETHEIM, MANDSAGER, GRIMSTAD, STEINE, KABLISKA

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 7/29/2010 at 20:46:33

Decorah Journal, Thursday, January 4, 2001 and Decorah Opinion, Tuesday, January 16, 2001

Darwin Ellingson

Darwin Ellingson, 76, of Decorah, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2000, at Aase Haugen Home following a long battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held Wednesday Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Thomas Miller officiating.

Organist was Rev. Marion Miller.

Casket bearers were Jennifer Lembezeder, Beth Wahlberg, Amy Bruening, Anne Lise-Muir, Sarah Gostonczik, Hans Steine, Emily Lyon, Ben Grimstad, Joseph Grimstad, Mary Grimstad, Matthew Kabliska and Steven Vangsness.

Burial was at Phelps Cemetery, with Fjelstul Funeral Home handling arrangements.

Darwin D. Ellingson was born Jan. 7, 1924 in Decorah, the son of Johnny and Blanche (Chase) Ellingson. He was a baptized and confirmed member of First Lutheran Church, serving on the church council. He attended Decorah schools, graduating in 1942.

Darwin Ellingson was united in marriage with Ruth B. Fretheim on March 4, 1942.

He drove a bus for the Hawkeye Stages of Decorah for several years. He served as county auditor for 17 years, and then served as county assessor until his retirement in 1985, after serving Winneshiek County for 36 years. Darwin Ellingson was a member of Silvercrest and Oneota Golf courses, Rotary and Elks. He enjoyed watching all sports on TV.

Surviving Darwin Ellingson are his wife, Ruth B. Ellingson, three daughters; Va Lois and Orlin Mandsager of Burnsville, Minn.; Diane and Larry Grimstad of Decorah and Roxann and Mark Steine of Cedar Rapids, as well as one sister, Vernelle and Ray Kabliska and nephew Matthew and Deanna Kabliska.

Additional survivors include 10 grandchildren: Jennifer and John Lembezeder of Peosta; Beth and Tom Wahlberg of Decorah; Amy and Keith Bruening of Decorah; Anne-Lise and Seth Muir of Lake Geneva, Wisc, Emily Lyon of Excelsior, Minn.; Beth and Padrin Grimstad of Decorah; Joseph Grimstad of Eden Prairie, Minn.; Mary Grimstad of New York City, NY; Sarah and Paul Gpstonczik of Marion and Hans Steine of Coralville, and 10 great-grandchildren: Jacob, Molly, and Nick Lembezeder, Anders and Annika Wahlberg, Michael Bruening, Laura Lyon, Rachel Grimstad and Meg and Emma Gostonczik.

Darwin Ellingson greatly enjoyed his 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. With a chuckle he would tell anyone that "they're all healthy, good-looking and smart!"

Darwin Ellingson was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Blanche Ellingson.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.