Clarence R. Ellis, 91, of Crookston, MN passed away Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Pioneer Memorial Care Center, Erskine, MN where he had resided in the memory care unit for two years.
Clarence was born October 2, 1926 in Clearbrook, MN to Kenny and Petra Ellis. He was educated in the Clearbrook schools, played varsity football, and graduated from Clearbrook High School in 1945.
In 1946 Clarence was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Myrtle Staehnke. The couple made their home in St. Paul, and later at Greenbush, MN, before moving to Salol, MN in 1951, where Clarence managed the grain elevator for 23 years. In 1974 he and Myrtle moved to Crookston and he was employed as an area field representative for Farmers Union Grain Terminal Association (Harvest States) for 18 years until his retirement in 1992.
Clarence enjoyed playing his guitar, oil painting, volunteering, traveling, and spending time with his family. He was a member of the Crookston Eagles Aerie 873. He and Myrtle were longtime members of Salol First Lutheran Church, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Crookston. Clarence was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and neighbor, and will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all who were a part of his life.
Clarence is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Myrtle; sons, David (Bonnie) Ellis of Urbana, IL and Gene Ellis of Portland, OR; granddaughters, Hayley Ellis (Hernando Tellez) and Flannery Ellis; and a great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers.
A memorial service will be held to honor the life of Clarence Ellis at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 16, 2018, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1214 University Avenue, Crookston, MN 56716, with The Rev. Bill Reck, officiating. Visitation with the family will be for one hour prior to the service. The family would like to thank the staff of the Memory Care Unit-Pioneer Care Center, Erskine, for their professional, family oriented, and compassionate care of Clarence over the past two years.
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