Mitchel Ellison

Mitchel Ellison, age 90, of Lemmon, SD, passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, SD.

Funeral services for Mitchel will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 15, 2024 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Lemmon, SD. Pastor Charlotte Kvale will officiate with burial to follow at the Greenhill Cemetery at Lemmon. Full military honors will be afforded by Smith-Lyman American Legion Post #279 of Thunder Hawk, SD.

Visitation will from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD. A gathering of family and friends will follow at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mitchel was born February 15, 1933 at home on their ranch in Grant County, ND to Edward and Ora (Dokken) Ellison, he had three younger brothers, Darrel, Dean, and Larry. He was baptized and confirmed in the Calvary Lutheran Church in Lemmon, SD.

Mitchel attended a country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Lemmon High School in 1952 (in a class of 52 students). He attended Colorado ANM at Ft Collins, Colorado for a year. Mitchel joined the US Army on October 5, 1954. His basic training was at Fort Lenard Missouri, from there he was stationed at Camp Bussac, France in the 55th Transportation Company Motor pool as a truck driver heavy 7-36-250, he was awarded a marksman (Carbine) Good Conduct award. He was honorable discharged as a SP3 (T). He returned home on September 12, 1956.

Mitchel attended NDSU in Fargo, ND before returning to farming and ranching.

On August 4, 1957 Mitchel married LeNae Reimer at Scranton, ND. They were blessed with 6 children. Carlyle, JuLane, Becky, Jeffrey, Michelle, and Lynnette. They farmed and ranched in Grant County. Mitchel received the outstanding young farmers award. He served on several local boards in the area. He very much enjoyed community involvement and serving as President for many years. He ranched with his son Jeff and had Gelbvieh and Angus Bull Sales for several years. Mitchel loved following his kids in all their sports activities and would be known for telling everyone how AWESOME they were!!!

On December 26, 1987 Mitchel and Edna (Gleason) Christofferson were married in Tolna, ND. Edna has 5 children Cornel, Carmen, Bernadine, Janadine, and Carla Jean. Mitchel and Edna enjoyed traveling, a cruise to Alaska, trip to Denmak, Norway, Sweden, 5 Farmers Union tours, National Rodeo Finals, Wells Fargo conventions, Hawaii, a few casinos, and visits to family in different states. Retirement was not a thought in Mitchel’s world. He loved what he did EVERY.SINGLE.DAY! The Ranch was his happy place with his wife of 36 years. Before Mitchel got Covid at the age of 88 he was still working on the ranch and still climbing grain bins with his cowboys boots on. He also parasailed in Maui a few years earlier.

Mitchel’s hobbies included traveling, but was always ready to come HOME, visiting with his brothers/neighbors on the side roads, a highball, and socializing. He was so proud of his and Edna’s families. His smile was contagious and loved to tell a good story. After some health complications in December of 2021, Mitchel resided in the Five Counties Nursing Home until his death. His room was right beside his brother Darrel’s. Mitchel adapted very well and enjoyed his time there.

Casket Bearers are Mitchel’s 10 Grandsons: Nevada, Cody, CJ, Bailey Ellison, Seth Lockert, Carter Brooks, Chase Stugelmeyer, Tray, Tanner, and Tate Krisle.

Honorary Casket Bearers are Mitchel’s 9 Granddaughters: Shelby McGonigal, Stephanie Thiede, Sasha Dusek, Alicia Hess, Mariah Kruger, Laeken Cary, Sierra Kraft, Madison Temple, and Samantha Ellison.

Mitchel is survived by his wife, Edna, brother Dean (Lila) Ellison, sister-in-law Connie Ellison; his children Carlie (Paulette) Ellison, Lemmon, SD, Julie (Tom) Lockert, Bowman, ND, Becky (Ryan) Brooks, Bowman, ND, Jeffrey Ellison, Lemmon, SD, Shelly (Troy) Krisle, St Cloud, Florida, Lynnette (Troy) Stugelmeyer, Buffalo, SD; grandchildren: Nevada, Cody, CJ (Ashley), Bailey (Jamie) Ellison, Eric (Melinda) Hulm, Macee (Jeff) Wilbur, Seth (Ashley) Lockert, Shelby (Randy) McGonigal, Stephanie (Tyler) Thiede, Sasha (Lucas) Dusek, Alicia (Nathan) Hess, Carter (Tianna) Brooks, Mariah (Mark) Kruger, Samantha Ellison, Tray (Kelsey) Krisle, Madison (Alex) Temple, Tanner (Adisen) Krisle, Tate Krisle. Laeken (Kyle) Carey, Sierra (Tanner) Kraft, Chase (Kylee) Stugelmeyer. Nephews: Doug (Mary) Ellison, Brian Ellison, Travis (Carol) Ellison. Nieces: Stacy (Mitch) Daley and Tami Conrad; great Grandchildren: Haley Peterson, Brody & Piper Ellison, Griffin, Oliver & Aria Ellison, Amiyah & Kaeson McGonigal, Brooklyn, Bristol, & Palmer Thiede, Cohen, Callen & Sloane Dusek, Britton & Fallon Hess, Jenna & Sedona Brooks, Lydia & Rose Carey, Douglas & Reagan Kraft; step sister, Iona Christofferson; step Children: Cory (Lorna) Christofferson, Carmen Roberts, Bernadine (Marty) Krystineak, Janadine (Jeff) Bogert, and Carla J Christofferson; step Grandchildren: Jamie (Michael) Greene, Casey Christofferson, Jessica (Roman) Salinas, Carleen (Rick) Ybarro, Angel Christofferson, Nikita Roberts, Cameron, Jamie, and Cain Hanson, Cassie Jackson and Emerson Shell; step great-grandchildren: Kayden & Kodi Green, Jamison Roberts, Ayden, Oaklee, Emmett & Easton Roberts, Kaylee & Harper Hanson, and Kinsley Hanson; and step great-great grandchildren: Braxton, Bodey, & Brynn Roberts.

Preceding Mitchel in death are his parents Edward and Ora Ellison, his late wife LeNae Ellison, brothers Darrel and Larry Ellison, grandson Tyler Krisle, daughter-in-law Susie Ellison, great grandson Owen Ellison, nephew Gary Ellison, sister-in-law Erna (Toots) Ellison, Step granddaughter Heather Scotson, step sisters-in-laws Georgia Reppen and Beverly Gleason, step brother-in-laws Neil Christofferson and Eugene Gleason, step son-in-law Pat Roberts, Step nephews Randy Gleason and Bernel Christofferson and step niece Raeanne Workman.