Dorothy Ellickson

Dorothy Ellickson, age 92 of Decorah, IA, died Friday, January, 11, 2013, at Wellington Place in Decorah, IA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 18, 2013, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1638 Big Canoe Road, in Locust, IA, with Rev. Nancy Solomonson and Rev. Kyle Jackson presiding. Friends may call on Thursday from 3:00-7:00 p.m., at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue in Decorah, and also after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Friday morning. Burial will be in the spring at the Union Prairie Cemetery, rural Decorah, IA. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials may be given in memory of Dorothy to the Dorothy Ellickson Memorial Fund. Dorothy Louise (Frey) Ellickson was born on October 12, 1920, the daughter of David and Emma (Swehla) Frey near Spillville, Iowa. Dorothy attended rural country school, graduated from eighth grade and then helped on the family farm. Dorothy met Vern Ellickson at a dance, at the Inwood Ballroom in Spillville. They were married on November 21, 1938, at the Congregational Church in Fort Atkinson, Iowa. Together they farmed side by side near Decorah, Ridgeway, Granger, MN and in 1960, they moved to their present farm in Pleasant Township. Dorothy was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Locust, served on the Aase Haugen Board of Directors and a member of the Oneota Food Coop. She and Vern loved to dance and spent many nights dancing at local ballrooms in the company of their many friends. Dorothy enjoyed playing cards, fishing, canning, gardening, quilting and raising goats. She was very proud of her Bohemian and Swiss-German ancestry. Dorothy is survived by her four children: Alan (Sue) Ellickson, Decorah, IA; Lee Ellickson, Streamwood, IL; Amy Ryan (Al Monroe), Decorah, IA; and Glen (Darla) Ellickson, Decorah, IA. Twelve grandchildren: Dale (Jody) Ellickson, Tammy (Curt) Balk, Shane (Teresa) Ellickson, Daniel Ellickson, Lee (Chris) Ellickson, Jr., Lynn (Nate) Oldenburg, Tom (Deirdre) Ryan, Beth Ryan, Pat Ryan, Mike (Erin) Ryan, Ian (fiancé, Sakinah Haque) Ellickson, and Aubrey Ellickson, along with fourteen great grandchildren. One sister: LaVonne Kupka, Cresco, IA, along with many nieces nephews and cousins. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents: David and Emma (Swehla) Frey. Her husband: Vernon Ellickson on Dec. 2, 2007. One sister: Alice Fjelstul. Brothers-in-law: Harlan Fjestul and Ervin Kupka. Two brothers: Lester (Madeline) Frey and Raymond Frey in infancy.