Duane P. Ellingson

Funeral service for Duane Palmer “Duke” Ellingson, 87, of Aurora, will be 10am Monday, October 2, 2017 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Aurora with Pastor Barbara Hegfors officiating. Visitation will be 4-6pm Sunday at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Burial with military honors accorded by the Aurora/Hoyt Lakes Color Guard will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Aurora. Duane died Tuesday September 26, 2017 at Essentia Health in Aurora, Minnesota. Duane was born August 4, 1930 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to Arthur and Alice (Moen) Ellingson. He was raised on a family farm along with his nine siblings and attended country school near Newfolden, MN. Later, he met Louise Rud at a dance in Middle River, MN and on August 7, 1952 they were united into marriage. In 1952 Duane joined the Army and served in the 3rd Armored Division in Germany during the Korean Conflict. He joined the special services as a musician playing the accordion and singing. The group of 38 people toured Germany and Austria, putting on shows for the service men and women. He attained the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged in February 1954. They moved to Aurora in 1954 where Duane began working on the construction of Erie Mining Company. He was hired on at Erie as a heavy equipment operator and retired from LTV Steel as a shovel operator with 40 years of service. He enjoyed hobby farming and wintering in Arizona and Texas. His passion was music and enjoyed playing accordion, piano and guitar. His gift of music was played throughout the area for many groups and organizations. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, the Aurora American Legion and the Steelworkers Union 4108. Survivors include his wife, Louise; children: Bryan Ellingson of San Diego, CA, Jane ( Jim) Olson of Cold Spring, MN, Brent (Veronica) Ellingson of Monticello, MN and Missy (Brad) Schoeppner of Pine Island, MN; grandchildren: Ian, Dylan, Abby, Rondon, Mason and Madison; great grandchildren: Blaine, Ryker, Mitchell, Ellarie and Sienna; siblings: Marilyn Matousek, Charles Ellingson, Arlene Jensen, Deloy Ellingson, Gordon Ellingson and Sharon Cox; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Bruce; siblings: Phyllis Thrane, Morgan and Richard Ellingson.