Alan W. Ellenson

Alan William Ellenson was born on April 28, 1923, in Climax, MN, to Edward and Pauline (Aasen) Ellenson. The family lived in Nielsville, MN, and Perley, MN, and when he was twelve years old, they moved to a farm northeast of Gardner, ND. He lived there for the next eighty-three years, farming the land until he was eighty-nine years old. He attended several schools, but after finishing ninth grade at Roosevelt school in Fargo, ND, he decided to stay home to farm. Being a voracious reader, he was a self-educated man on many subjects.

On March 16, 1961, Alan married Ona Ostern, in Moorhead, MN, and together, they raised four children.

In 1966, Alan started working nights at R.F. Gunkelman and Sons elevator in Gardner. In 1970, Alan went to work for Agway, Inc., in Grandin, ND, until he retired in 1998. For over thirty years, he worked full-time, taking his vacation days to farm.

Alan was an active member of Nora Lutheran Church, serving as president, treasurer and trustee over the years. He was on the Noble Township Board of Supervisors for many years and was on the board of directors for Cass County Mutual Insurance for twenty-one years.

Alan's grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the absolute joy in his life. These children made a great impact on him and his influence will live on in them.

Alan died Saturday, August 11, 2018, at Sanford Health, Fargo, at ninety-five years of age.

Alan is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Ona; sons, John (Pam) Ellenson, Grandin, and Lee Ellenson, Fargo; daughters, Alana (Mike) Harden, Grandin, and Anita (Sean) Jalbert, Grandin; eight grandchildren, Nathan (Alexandra Webb) Ellenson, Justin (Hannah Hansen) Ellenson, Daniel (Tiffany) Ellenson, Benjamin (Madelyn Reusch) Ellenson, Anna Ellenson, Ethan Harden and Tess and Emme Jalbert; three step-grandchildren, Sarah and John Harden and Parker Hanson-Harden; two great-grandchildren, Haddie and Sylis Ellenson; and two step-great-grandchildren, Liam Spieker and Gavin Harden.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Helen; brother, Orris; and infant daughter, Heidi Renee.

Alan will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor, kindness towards many and for his love of pie.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 16, 2018, from 5-7 PM, with prayer service and sharing at 6:30 PM, at Nora Lutheran Church, rural Gardner.

His funeral will be August 17, 2018, at 2:30 PM, at Nora Lutheran church with burial immediately following in the Nora cemetery.