Richard Edward Ellingson

Mass of Christian Burial for Richard Edward Ellingson, 83, of Aberdeen, and formerly of Stratford, SD, will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 7, 2014, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Avenue SE, Aberdeen, with Father Jonathan Venner, Celebrant and Father Melvin Kuhn, con-celebrating. Burial will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Aberdeen, with military rites being conducted by the Stratford American Legion Post #207 of Stratford, SD.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign his online guestbook at schriversmemorial.com.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Sunday, at the mortuary with a Liturgical Wake Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues for one hour prior to Mass at the church on Monday.

Richard passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.

Memorials are preferred to the Stratford American Legion Post #207, Stratford, SD, Sacred Heart Cemetery, Aberdeen, SD, or The Warner School Foundation, Warner, SD.

Richard Edward Ellingson was born on February 10, 1931, in Aberdeen, SD, to Oscar and Evelyn (Christian) Ellingson. He was raised on the Ellingson family farm in the Stratford area and attended rural school until the age of 15, when he began farming his first piece of land.

Richard entered the United States Army in 1953 and was honorably discharged three months later due to his father's illness. Following his return, Richard was very proud to take over the family farm, which had been homesteaded in 1882.

Richard was united in marriage to Katherine Blando Groebner on June 2, 1962, in Aberdeen. He was blessed with a loving wife, two Groebner children and later, another son. The family made their home on the farm, a life Richard truly enjoyed. He loved the outdoors, especially during the month of March, when the sound of geese flying overhead marked the start of a new year. Richard was extremely proud that the 5th generation of Ellingsons is growing up on the Ellingson Homestead.

He also enjoyed having coffee at The Stratford Elevator, playing cards, talking about old cars and farming, and dancing. Above all, Richard loved his family and thoroughly enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up and play sports.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen and a 62-year member of the Stratford American Legion, where he served on their firing squad for military rites.

Blessed to have shared Richard's life is his loving wife of 52 years, Kathy Ellingson of Aberdeen; one daughter, Janet (Mick) Palmer of Sioux Falls, SD; two sons: Joseph Eugene Ellingson of Spearfish, SD and John (Nicole) Ellingson of Stratford, SD; seven grandchildren: Melissa (Herman) Brandner-Otten, Barry Palmer, Brent (Melissa) Palmer, Taylor Ellingson, Logan Ellingson, Peyton Ellingson, and Landon Ellingson; four great-grandchildren: Ally Brandner, Andrea Brandner, Hayden Otten and Vivian Palmer; one brother-in-law, Bruce Aisenbrey and children: Bryan Aisenbrey and Jane (Brian) Diers; and many nieces and nephews.

Richard's parents and one sister, Jo Ann Aisenbrey preceded him in death.