Alton ELLINGSON

ELLINGSON, NESSET, KING, WIELAND, HIPPEN, ADAMS, SAUER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/12/2015 at 16:12:53

October 13, 1919 -- November 17, 1982

Alton Ellingson, Former W'burg Principal, Dies

Alton E. Ellingson passed away Wednesday morning, November 17, 1982, at the Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo due to cancer. He had been a patient there since November 7th. He reached the age of 63 years, 1 month and 4 days.

He was born in Northwood, IA, on October 13, 1919, the son of Eddie and Alma (Nesset) Ellingson. He attended the Northwood School and graduated with the class of 1939. Following his graduation he attended Ellsworth College at Iowa Falls. He obtained his B.A. degree at Drake University at Des Moines and his M.A. degree at Winona State College at Winona, MN.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, having enlisted on November 7, 1941. He was assigned to the 34th Infantry Division, 175th Field Artillery Battalion. The unit was sent overseas to Ireland, and then to the North African Theater. Later he saw action in the Italian Campaign. After returning to the states, he received his honorable discharge on August 2, 1945, at Fort Sheridan, IL.

On June 5, 1946, he was married to Floreine King at the Little Brown Church at Nashua. Following their marriage they lived in Iowa Falls and later moved to Des Moines. He started his teaching career in Rutland and also taught at Klemme, Viola Center, Mingo, Dexter, New Albin and Garwin before coming to Wellsburg in 1966. He served as Wellsburg High School Principal until 1979.

He was preceded in death by his father; a daughter, Deidra Eileen; one sister and two brothers. Survivors include: his wife, Floreine; two daughters and three sons, (Denise), Mrs. William Wieland of Carroll; Keith Ellingson, with the U.S. Army in Augsburg, West Germany; Ronald Ellingson of Iowa Falls; Richard Ellingson of Eldora; (Deidra Floreine), Mrs. Galen Hippen, Aplington, seven grandchildren; his mother, Mrs. Alma Adams, Iowa Falls; a sister, Mrs. Almira Sauer of Cedar Rapids; and a brother, Eddie Ellingson of Iowa Falls.

Funeral services were conducted for Alton E. Ellingson on Saturday, November 20, at 1 p.m. at the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church northeast of Wellsburg. Rev. David Satre was officiating pastor. Mrs. Frank Meyeraan Jr. provided organ music at the service. The Messengers Quartet, Richard Schafer, Lary Riebkes, Melvin Haupt, and Arnold Eiten, provided special music accompanied by Mrs. LuRay Meyer. Flower attendants were Mrs. Richard Herter and Mrs. Ben Gavin. Pallbearers were Keith Ellingson, Ronald Ellingson, Richard Ellingson, Galen Hippen, William Wieland and Merle Hoversten. Honorary pallbearers were Richard Herter, Dr. Ben Gavin, Calvin Nelson, Bob Juhl, Wendell Olson, and Jack McDonald. Interment services were held in the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery. Graveside military rites were conducted by the Wellsburg Amvets Post No. 91 and the Wellsburg American Legion Ashing-Jaspers Post No. 213. The Doyen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

The Grundy Register -- Grundy Center, Iowa
November 25, 1982

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[taught in Klemme, Iowa]