Obituary of Richard Ellingson

Richard Lee Ellingson, age 67, of Cambridge, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on November 15, 2007. Richard was born April 11, 1940 to W. Lee and Mabel Ellingson in the township of Isanti. He grew up in the Cambridge Isanti area and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1958. He married Marlys Olson January 20, 1962. They resided in the Cambridge area with their two children. Richard worked on the natural gas pipe line for R. H. Fulton after graduating from high school. He also worked for Polzin House Movers, Larson's Cycle, and E.F. Hals (as a diesel mechanic) of North Branch. He worked as a diesel mechanic and manager for East Bethel Landfill until his retirement in 1996. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. He enjoyed tinkering on old toys, bikes, and motorcycles. He was often found in his garage fixing something. He was known for his knowledge in small engine repair and enjoyed helping others fix their snowmobiles and lawn mowers. Richard enjoyed spending weekends away in the summertime with friends and family up at Polzin's cabin on Big Pine Lake in Finlayson, MN. He purchased his first fishing boat and enjoyed fishing and taking all the kids out waterskiing. Later he bought a camper and enjoyed camping and fishing with family and friends at Rush Lake, Leech Lake, and Mille Lacs Lake, as well as many other lakes in Minnesota and Wisconsin. With his enjoyment of the outdoors and he purchased some land in Sandstone. He spent time with his grandchildren up there at the aptly named "Mouse House." Richard and Marlys enjoyed a trip to Alaska to visit family and take in salmon and halibut fishing. After his retirement, they took some wonderful winter vacations in Texas and Arizona. Richard is survived by his wife, Marlys; his son Rory and daughter-in-law Kelli of Cambridge; and his daughter Brenda and son-in-law Don Anderson of Isanti, four grandchildren; Brienne Anderson Rapp, Michael Anderson, Kiley and Cale Ellingson; two great children; Trinity and Noah Rapp. He is also survived by his sister Barb Binger of Cambridge, Uncle Dean and Dorothy Ellingson of Cambridge as well as other family and friends. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, W. Lee and Mabel Ellingson. Richard loved spending time with his family and passed on some wonderful family values onto his children and grandchildren. His grandchildren and great grandchildren loved their Grandpa Richard and are left with wonderful loving memories of him and will be greatly missed by them all.