Rodger D. Ellingson

Rodger Ellingson, 75, longtime resident of Grand Forks, ND, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2021 at Villa St. Vincent Nursing Home in Crookston, MN. Rodger Ellingson was born in Grand Forks, as the last of six children of Willie and Edith Ellingson. He grew up on the family farm near Reynolds, ND and was baptized and confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran outside of Reynolds. Rodger married Sally Nelson in 1962. Later, Rodger married Carol Page-Elis in 1976 and had one child, Kyle. In later life, Rodger was a close companion with Patty Kramchuck of Grand Forks. Rodger graduated from barber school in 1966 and worked as a barber for 35 years at the Grand Forks Air Force Base. Rodger was also a truck driver for White Seal Sales from 1971 to 1973 and Pepsi Cola from 1973 to 1975. Rodger enjoyed sports, playing baseball as a child. He enjoyed watching his son Kyle play baseball and hockey and later in life, and he avidly enjoyed watching and following up on his granddaughter, Taiylor Ellingson, as she participated in softball, hockey, and golf. Rodger was a fan of UND sports and followed what was happening with local high school sports teams. Rodger was welcomed in Heaven by his parents Willie and Edith Ellingson, his brother Ernest (Beverly, Gene) Ellingson, his companion Patty Kramchuck, and by other cousins and extended family. Rodger will be missed by son Kyle (Stacy) Ellingson, granddaughter Taiylor Ellingson, brother Odney Elllingson (Lorraine), Curtis Ellingson (Shirley - deceased), Lois (Richard) Nordeen, Eunice Burwell (Jim - deceased), the children of Patty Kramchuck, and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will take place some time in the summer of 2022. Rodger will be interned in Resurrection Cemetery in East Grand Forks, MN. Our heartfelt thanks goes to the caring staff at Villa St. Vincent in Crookston where Rodger lived his final three weeks, and to Hospice of the Red River Valley. Kindness and love were shown in their great care of him! Memorials may be sent to Hospice of the Red River Valley.