Mervin L. Ellingson

Mervin Ellingson, age 81, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Friday, September 28, 2007, at his home, following a short illness. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, October 1, 2007, at the Decorah Lutheran Church, with Rev. James Glesne and Rev. Allen Vik officiating. A private family service, with burial to follow, will be held prior to the memorial service. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah, Iowa, with military rites will be at the graveside by the Helof – Holm VFW Chapter #1977 and the Dyrdal – Prolow American Legion Post #249 in Spring Grove, MN. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah. There will be a VFW Memorial service at the funeral home at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Mervin Lowell Ellingson was born on September 5, 1926, the son of Harris and Henrietta (Hendrickson) Ellingson in Waukon, Iowa. Mervin was educated in the Decorah Schools. Mervin’s two brothers: Tilman and Orval were drafted into the service. When they returned home, Mervin enlisted in the Merchant Marines. He came home and was drafted in the Army until June and then enlisted into the regular Army. He spent a year in the occupation of Korea and was discharged on Oct, 7, 1947. Merv married Lillian Jacobson on June 10, 1946, at the Decorah Lutheran Church parsonage in Decorah. To this union, six children were born: Lynette, Dennis, Connie, Karla, Keith and Scott. They lived in Spring Grove and moved to Decorah in 1953. Merv worked at a variety of occupations and enjoyed each of them. He especially enjoyed keeping busy with all kinds of “handyman” jobs for people throughout the Decorah community. Mervin married Mary Leistikow on September 20, 1986 in Decorah. Mervin enjoyed playing golf, woodworking, reading history and telling a good joke. Mervin belonged to Decorah Lutheran Church, Silvercrest Golf Course and Oneota Country Club. He was a life member of the Helof- Holm VFW Chapter #1977 and a member of Dyrdal – Prolow American Legion Post #249 in Spring Grove, MN for fifty-seven years. Mervin’s survivors include his wife, Mary Ellingson, Decorah, IA. Six children: Lynette (Harold) Usgaard, Austin, MN; Dennis (Louise) Ellingson, Cortland, MN; Connie (Loren) Amundson, Decorah, IA; Karla Ellingson Soland, Decorah, IA; Keith (Kristi) Ellingson, Indianola, IA; and Scott (Tricia) Ellingson, Plymouth, MN. Seventeen grandchildren: Jennifer (Mike) Bockenstedt, Sara and Joshua Usgaard, Eric and Ryan Ellingson, Laura (Alex) Smith, Matt, Anna, Amanda and Sarah Amundson, Heather (Dave) Ollendick, Jason Soland (fiancée, Jen Hall), Travis (Kristin) Soland, Jessica, Catie and Bailey Ellingson and Ethan Ellingson. Great grandchildren: William and Owen Bockenstedt, Johnathon Berland, Michael, Olivia, Erica Ollendick and Landon Soland. Two step-children: Mike (Kathy) Leistikow, Decorah, IA and Vickie (Dennis) Curtain, Waukon, IA. Four step-grandchildren: Nathan and Erin Leistikow, Ben and Adam Kruse. One step-great grandchild: Ella. One brother: Tilman (Lorena) Ellingson, Decorah, IA. Four sisters: Adelaide (Eddie) Shelby, Chicago, IL; Kathleen (Calvin) Snitker, Waukon, IA; Cheryl (Duane) Bergan, Decorah, IA and Sandra Pierce, Sacramento, CA. Brothers-in-law: Norman (Lucille) Jacobson, Loveland, CO; Leslie (Jeneane) Jacobson, LaCrosse, WI; Clifford (Margie) Jacobson, LaCrosse, WI; Gordon Gullickson, LaCrosse, WI and Lee Weymiller, Spring Grove, MN. Sisters-in-law: Ardis Jacobson, CO, Lois (Don) Percell, AZ, Phyllis Kittleson, St. Ansgar, IA, Helen Ringham, Northwood, IA and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mervin was preceded in death by his parents: Harris and Henrietta Ellingson. His first wife: Lillian Ellingson on July 8, 1984. One brother: Orval Ellingson in 1965. One sister: Esther Grotegut. One step-son: Randy Leistikow in 1990. Two brothers-in-law: Milton Jacobson and Darrell Pierce. Two sisters-in-law: Marie Gullickson and Verna Weymiller.