Clayton Arland Ellingson

Clayton Arland Ellingson, age 88, passed away on December 31, 2016. Clayton was born to Tosten B. and Ella (Midtmoen) Ellingson on August 19, 1928 near Dahlen, ND. He grew up with Irvin (deceased in POW camp in WWII), Alpha (Lundmark, deceased), Clarice (Enerson, St. Cloud, MN), Omer (deceased), Trueman (deceased), Leland (‘Bud”, Crookston, MN) and Dennis (Golden Valley, MN) on a farm a mile from Dahlen, where he graduated from high school. He got a scholarship to Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, where he spent one year, then went on to Mayville State College, Mayville, ND, where he earned a teaching degree in high school English and bookkeeping. Clayton was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, serving two years at Ft. Riley, KS and Camp Atterbury, IN, where he kept records. While in Kansas, his brother, Dennis, showed up unexpectedly and, because the hiring officer knew Clayton’s exceptional bookkeeping skills, Dennis was assigned clerk typing school, where he became a stenographer and later, a general’s driver while at Camp Atterbury. On returning to civilian life, ‘Clay’ went to live in San Diego, CA with sister, Alpha, and her husband, ‘Gus’(Gustav) for two years, doing office work at San Diego Gas & Electric and at Convair Aircraft. In 1959, he began living with brother, Dennis and “D.J.” Ellingson in Cambridge, MN while looking for work. Well known for his dancing prowess, Clayton went to a dance in St. Paul, MN, on St. Patrick’s Day, 1960, where he met and danced with a girl named Ione, the love of his life. They were married in Thief River Falls, MN, later moving to Menahga, MN on August 1, 1963, where they have lived ever since. Clayton was hired to teach English and bookkeeping at the public school, where he taught until 1985. After retiring, he worked for Green Pine Acres Nursing Home until 1997. He then took over custodial duties at First English Lutheran Church, where he was a long-time member, and finally retired for good in 2013. ‘Til the very end, he always looked forward to coffee, goodies and fellowship with the Wednesday men’s group at church. Clayton is survived by wife Ione (Menahga), sons Tom (Menahga), Tim (Menahga), Bruce (St. Cloud) and Darren (St. Cloud); sister Clarice Enerson (St. Cloud, MN); brothers Leland (Crookston, MN) and Dennis (Golden Valley, MN); grandchildren Michael (Minneapolis), Patrick (Collegeville), Andrew (Collegeville), Kathryn (St. Cloud) and Stephen (St. Cloud). He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Alpha Lundmark, Omer Ellingson and Trueman and son Craig. Memorial Services will be held 1:00 PM Thursday, January 12, 2017 at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga, MN with visitation two hours prior to the service at the Church. Inurnment will be at a later date.