Marcella (Marcie) Angeline Ellingson passed through the gateway to heaven on February 2, 2014 at the Avera Dell Rapids Hospital after a short battle with cancer surrounded by her family at the age of 85.
Visitation will be Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 4:00 PM with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 PM Thursday, February 6, 2014 at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids Chapel.
Marcie was born in Dell Rapids, SD on February 20, 1928 to George and Johanna Dieken. She grew up in the Dell Rapids area and graduated from Dell Rapids High School. She married the love of her life, Howard O. Ellingson, on December 17, 1949 at New Brighton, MN. During this unity of marriage, they had four sons. This marriage lasted 62 years when her husband died in 2012.
Marcie was a past member of St. John Lutheran Church in Madison, SD; a 28 year member of the Women’s American Legion and present member of the Lutheran Church in Dell Rapids, SD. Marcie was a member of the South Dakota Women’s Bowling Association for many years. Marcie and Howard bowled in many tournaments – City, State and National together with their bowling friends. They also golfed together many years and were members of a square dance club. She enjoyed camping, playing cards, puzzles and board game and was an avid fan at her grandchildren’s ballgames.
Marcie’s career started as a receptionist at the Milbank Mutual Insurance office in Milbank, SD. Marcie most importantly, after the move to Madison, SD was a homemaker raising her four energetic sons while they were younger. She assisted her husband in managing the Cherry Lanes Bowling Alley in Madison until her husband began working at Domestic Seed. Howard retired from Domestic Seed and she once again assisted her husband when they purchased the Dells Bowling Alley in Dell Rapids. Howard retired from the Dells Bowling Alley when it was sold to their son Dan. Marcie continued assisting her son, Dan with the restaurant at Dells Bowls for many years.
Marcie’s work ethic showed in all she did. Her passion for flowers and gardening were enjoyed each summer. Her baking talents were famous all over the state of South Dakota. People looked forward to stopping at Dells Bowl for her lemon meringue pie and coconut crème pie, chocolate chip cookies, caramel rolls and soups. Marcie’s big and generous heart has carried over to her sons, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends as well as Punchy and Amy her four legged family members.
The family of Marcie would like to thank Dr. Prasek and the Avera Dell Rapids Hospital Medical Facility for the awesome care and concern shown to her and her family during this time.
She is survived by her sons, Ted, Madison, SD, Ron (Terry), Madison, SD, Mike (Julie), Dell Rapids, and daughter-in-law, Shelley ,Dell Rapids, SD; sister, Vi, Lake Havusu City, AZ; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband; son, Dan; grandson, Braeden; parents; 3 brothers and 1 sister.