Obituary of Phillip James Ellingson

Phillip James Ellingson, “Phil”, age 84 of Harris, passed away unexpectedly at his home on March 13, 2019.

            Phil was born on August 5, 1934, in Northwood, Iowa.  In 1943, his family moved to a farm just outside of Mora, Minnesota, where Phil graduated in 1953.

From 1952 to 1954, Phil was employed at Blaw Knox in Mora. In the Fall of 1954, Phil joined the Army and was stationed Bussac, France in the Corps of Engineers. Phil and Valborg Kyllo were married on August 23, 1957, at Hegre Lutheran Church in Kenyon, Minnesota.

            Phil attended Dunwoody Institute. Phil and Val then bought a home in Mounds View while Phil held positions with Moorhead Machine and Boiler, Minneapolis Steel Casting and Home Gas Company. Phil purchased Cambridge Iron Works in the fall of 1967, and moved the family to Cambridge, MN, where he was active in the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Lion’s Club, a Barbershop singing group as well as church council and other committees at Cambridge Lutheran Church.

            The family purchased farm land and built a home in Fish Lake Township in 1977.

In 1985, Phil sold “the shop” and was employed by School District 911 until his “retirement.” Along with continuing many welding activities, Phil was always conservation-minded and he, along with all of the family, planted many thousands of trees and engaged in activities to promote wildlife habitat on the farm.  Phil also volunteered many hours at church and community activities.

            Phil dearly loved his family, and was always ready to give a helping hand.

            Phil was preceded in death by his parents, sons Mark and Erik Ellingson, grandchildren Jonathan Ellingson and Brianna Rubbelke, daughter-in-law Audrey Ellingson, sister Gudwren (Belkholm), brothers David and Thomas Ellingson, brother-in-law Kenny Belkholm, sisters-in-law Audrey (Bud) Smith, and Doris (Loren) Beaudion.

            He is survived by his wife Valborg, sons Jon, Joel (Kelly), daughter Kay (Joe) Rubbelke, daughter-in-law Joanie Ellingson and grandchildren Amanda Ellingson, Alissa and Andrew Ellingson, Seth, Kylla, Corinne and Danika Rubbelke, and Stephen and Elizabeth Ellingson, sisters-in-law Pat Ellingson of North Branch, Darleen Ellingson of Bozeman, MT, as well as many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

            A Memorial Service will be held at 11AM, Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Cambridge Lutheran Church.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Memorials are preferred to the Cambridge Lutheran Church and the Wounded Warrior Project