Cleone R. Ellingson, 88, Hartley

A funeral service for Cleone R. Ellingson was held Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City. Pastor Richard Milbrandt officiated.

Pallbearers were Jared Van Engen, Angela Selzer, Tyler Ellingson, Amy Van Engen and Chantelle Martin. Burial was in Harrison Township Cemetery at May City. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Cleone Rose “Tootie” Ellingson was born Sept. 9, 1934 in May City, the daughter of Clarence and Rose (Bock) Newkirk. She grew up in May City with three siblings and attended country school through the eighth grade. After completing school, she worked at the café in Hartley where she met her sweetheart, Raymond.

Cleone was united in marriage to Ray Ellingson on Sept. 5, 1953, in South Sioux City, Neb. To this union two children were born, Connie and Rodney. The family moved around following Ray’s work until moving to May City in 1960. Cleone worked at Berkley’s in Spirit Lake for over 25 years. She was known for wearing a different pair of earrings each day. She truly enjoyed her coworkers who became friends and always looked forward to the yearly picnic, even after retirement. She retired in 1995.

Cleone was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where she enjoyed attending Ladies Aid for many years.

Cleone and Ray were typically found together camping, fishing, going to parades and playing cards with friends. They enjoyed their time spent together at their cabin in Round Lake and trips to Canada to visit family. Ray passed away in 2011.

Cleone enjoyed sewing, watching Western shows and playing Bingo and solitaire. Her biggest joy in life was being a grandmother. Her grandkids spent many days, overnights and camping trips with her and Ray. She would light up every time her great-grandkids would visit.

Cleone moved to Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley in 2018, and passed away there on Friday, May 5, 2023, at the age of 88 years. She will be greatly missed.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Connie (Mike) Van Engen, of Melvin; daughter-in-law, Terri Geurtz, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; grandchildren: Jared (Sheila) Van Engen, of Little Rock; Angela (Brandon) Selzer, of Melvin; Tyler Ellingson, of Reno, Nev.; Amy (Shawnden Crawford) Van Engen, of Cedar Rapids; and Chantelle (Michael) Martin, of Harrisburg, S.D.; nine great-grandchildren: Bryce, Kaisha, Ethan, Harper, Ava, Quincy, Carson, Kinsley and Jayda; sister-in-law, Ruth Newkirk, of Hartley; along with extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Rose; stepmother, Dorothy Newkirk; husband of 58 years, Ray; son, Rodney Ellingson; brothers, Dean (Leona) and Lloyd Newkirk; and sister, Joyce (Duane) Lyman.