Verdie Ellingson, 94, of Moorhead
Verdie Leroy Ellingson was born July 18, 1924, in Montevideo, to Jens and Ragna (Olson) Ellingson. He was baptized and confirmed at Mandt Lutheran Church. Mr. Ellingson attended rural school in Chippewa County through eighth grade and then Milan High School, graduating in 1942. He helped operate the family farm until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Mr. Ellingson served with the occupation forces in Korea in 1946 and 1947.
Following his return, Mr. Ellingson attended Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, where he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1950. In 1954, he earned a master’s degree in school administration at the University of Montana, Missoula. He received additional education at the University of Minnesota and Columbia University in New York.
Mr. Ellingson began his career in education in 1950, as a teacher in Elkton. On June 15, 1952, he married Norma Retrum of Benson, and they moved to Austin. He continued teaching and served as principal at Elkton High School. In 1955, he became superintendent of schools. Mr. Ellingson and Norma moved to Sacred Heart in 1958, and to Glencoe in 1965, when he accepted positions as superintendent in those school districts. Mr. Ellingson finished his career, working for Horace Mann Insurance in Moorhead for six years. The following year, he supervised student teachers at Concordia College and Moorhead State University before retiring in 1989.
Mr. Ellingson was an active member of several professional organizations, maintaining lifetime memberships in the National Education Association and both the Minnesota and American Association for School Administrators. He served four years on the Minnesota State High School League Board and after his retirement, served on the board of Retired Educators of Minnesota. Mr. Ellingson enjoyed his many years as an educator and liked to tell his grandchildren he had “gone to school” for 60 years. He was a lifelong learner, including Bible study classes, book clubs and studying the Norwegian language. He started piano lessons at age 67. One of his greatest pastimes was reading, especially history.
Living out his faith and participating in church activities was always important to Mr. Ellingson, from teaching Sunday school and singing in the church choir, to serving on the church council and countless committees. He was a member of service clubs in each community Mr. Ellingson lived, including Rotary and Kiwanis. He also enjoyed singing with the Fargo-Moorhead Barbershop Chorus and later the Kringen Kor. He cherished his Norwegian heritage and was a proud member of Sons of Norway. He never missed an opportunity to have lutefisk and lefse.
Mr. Ellingson loved to dance and enjoyed music and theatre. He was an avid sports fan and followed the Twins, Gophers, and all of his grandchildren’s activities.
His greatest joy was his family. He was married to his sweetheart, Norma, for almost 60 years and loved spending time with her, their children, and especially, their grandchildren. A favorite place was the family cabin and time spent fishing, boating, playing Rook and making homemade ice cream. His extended family was also very important to Mr. Ellingson. He treasured the relationships with his siblings, nieces and nephews.
Mr. Ellingson died Nov. 5, at the age of 94. He is survived by his children, Scott (Sue) Ellingson of Moorhead, Kristen (Greg) Lehman of St. Cloud, Todd (Jennifer) Ellingson of Maple Grove, and Kari (Dan) Bell of Colorado Springs, Colo.; grandchildren, Matt Ellingson, Andrew Ellingson, Jackie Lehman, Beth Lehman (Phillip Aquino), Dan Lehman, Rachel Ellingson, Grace Ellingson, Natalie Ellingson, Katie Gruenhagen (Nicholas Graves), Kyle Gruenhagen; step-grandson, Ryan Bell; great-granddaughter, Novella Aquino; and sisters-in-law, Cecil Ellingson and Irene (Roger) Ahrndt of Benson.
Mr. Ellingson was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, on July 6, 2011; his parents, Jens and Ragna Ellingson; brothers, Julian, Orville, George, Calmer and Russell Ellingson; sisters, Sylvia Retrum and Idella Erickson; foster sister, Bertina Gustafson; brothers-in-law, Ray Retrum, Herbert Erickson, and James Pederson; and sisters-in-law, Alma Ellingson, Lucille Ellingson, Lillian Ellingson, Marlys Ellingson, and Gladys Peterson.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Eventide Senior Living Community, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, ELCA World Hunger or a memorial of your choice.
Visitation was Sunday, Nov. 11, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m., at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead. His funeral was Monday, Nov. 12, 11 a.m., at the church. Burial took place in Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead.
Arrangements by Korsmo Funeral Service, Moorhead, with information and a guestbook online at www.korsmofuneralservice.com
