Richard Ellingson

Richard A. Ellingson Richard A. Ellingson, age 77, of Alexandria, Minnesota, died June 7, 2014, after a courageously short fought battle with cancer. He is survived by his, daughter Kristen (Richard) Panowicz of Omaha, NE and son Jorgen (Yumiko) Ellingson of Orono, MN. Also surviving are his grandchildren Emma Panowicz, Ethan Panowicz, Oscar Ellingson, and Max Ellingson; siblings Sonja (Thomas) Hout, Sandra (Ned) Dewey, and Gary Ellingson. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Janice Ellingson. Celebration of Life services will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Minnesota, on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at 2:30 PM. Friends may call beginning one hour prior to the service. A luncheon at the church will follow the ceremony. Interment will be private. Richard Ellingson grew up in Wendell, Minnesota, the son of Raymond and Mildred (Buchholtz) Ellingson. He graduated from Elbow Lake High School in 1959, graduated from Mankato State University with a business degree. While employed at the Natural Gas Operation in Long Prairie, Minnesota, he met his wife Janice Payne. The couple was united in marriage on June 9, 1962, in Long Prairie. Moving frequently with his career with what is known as CenterPoint Energy, he lived in the Mankato/St. Peter area, Willmar, Edina, while, in 1982, moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. The family bought a lake place in Alexandria and Richard and Janice moved there in 1994, following his retirement. Throughout his career, Dick was an involved member of each community his family lived in. He held various offices with the Midwest Gas Association. And while in Lincoln, NE he was a board member of Bryan Hospital, Providence Federal, Tabitha, and Nebraska Wesleyan. Most recently he was involved at Calvary Lutheran Church and the Maritime Museum in Alexandria. Dick was a loving and devoted husband of nearly 51 years, an outstanding father, and Papa who loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was very giving of his time and talents. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and summers on the lake. He will be forever missed for his kind and encouraging spirit. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Calvary Lutheran Church ELCA College Scholarship Fund. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home, Alexandria, Minnesota. www.andersonfuneral.net