Richard A. Ellefson, 86, of Hawley, MN, formerly of Fargo, ND, passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at his home.
Richard, the youngest son of Gilbert and Clara Myers Ellefson, was born on July 12, 1930 in Sarles, ND. The family moved from the Calvin farm to Clyde, ND in 1935. Richard graduated from Clyde High School in 1948. After graduation Richard joined the US Army and had basic training in Wichita Falls, Texas. When basic training was completed he was transferred to the US Air Force at Lowry AFB, Denver, Colorado, for Flight Training as an aerial photographer, gunner and radio operator, becoming a crew member in B-17 bombers and other types of military aircrafts.
Richard remained in the US Air Force for 21 years, stationed at various stateside and overseas military bases and retired from Grand Forks AFB, December 9, 1969. During the time before his retirement the Korean and Vietnam wars were activated.
In June of 1951, Richard was married to Betty Ann Sperling from Langdon, ND at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Dresden, ND. During the union of their marriage at different locations, four children were born. Richard Steven, 1952, in Devils Lake, ND, Julie Faye, at Bryan AFB, Texas in 1954, Rebecca Ann in Seattle, Washington in 1959 and Andrew Gilbert in 1964 at Fitszimmons Army Hospital, Aurora, Colorado. Betty Ann passed away in Moorhead, MN on November 15, 1995. Andrew Gilbert passed away at Lake Park, MN on November 21, 1991. Both are buried at the family cemetery on the Ellefson Farm at Lake Park, MN.
After his education from the USAF Air University Associate Degree and retirement from the USAF, Richard was employed as a Trust Officer with the First National Bank in Grand Forks for six years and then was in the automobile business in Fargo and Moorhead until his retirement in 1993.
In 1997, Richard was married to Patsy M. Berglund at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in Fargo and they have lived in Argusville, ND and Fargo, ND and have a home at the Ellefson Farm, Lake Park, MN.
Richard is survived by his wife Patsy; sister Dorothy Johnny Olson, Apache Junction, AZ; son, Steven Joni, Lake Park, MN; daughters, Julie Wayne Rocksvold, Grand Forks, ND, and Rebecca Paul DesChene, Hawley, MN; daughter-in-law, Lori Ellefson, Fargo, ND; stepdaughter, Karmell Philip Hogenson, Fargo, ND; and grandchildren, Dylan Megan DesChene, Chelsea Dustin Harper, Elizabeth DesChene, Jenna Jeffrey Waind and Jayson Rocksvold and step-grandson, Andrew Jordanne Hogenson; eight great-grandchildren.
Richard is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Ann, son, Andrew Gilbert, parents, brothers Garnet, Clarence and Darol; and sister, Phyllis Rinas.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 19, 2:00 p.m., Argusville United Church of Christ with Pastor Margaret Kloster officiating.
A private family service will be held with a burial at the Ellefson Garden Family Cemetery, Lake Park, MN.
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Argusville United Church of Christ
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