Delbert A Ellanson

Delbert Alvin Ellanson, age 70, of Lake Crystal died unexpectedly, Thursday, October 1, 2009 at Immanuel-St. Joseph's Hospital, Mankato.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal, with Rev. Nancy Dreier officiating. Burial will be in Lake Crystal Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., Monday at Lake Crystal Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Del was born December 17, 1938 near Hanska, MN to Alvin and Marjorie (Rollings) Ellanson. He graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1956. Del was united in marriage to Norma F. Stankey on June 20, 1959 in Smith's Mill. He had been employed by Lily Creamery and Land O' Lakes Dairy, before purchasing his first service station in Lake Crystal in the mid 1960's and moving it to the Highway 60 location in 1968. After a brief time in Arizona as an auto shop manager for JC Penney, Del returned to Lake Crystal. From 1971-78, he was employed by the Blue Earth County Highway Department as a motor grader operator. In May of 1978, Del and Norma purchased the business they previously owned. Del's Lakeview continued as a partnership with his son, Scott, until Del's retirement in 2007. Del was a past member of the Jaycees and the Lions Club. He served multiple terms as a city councilman for the City of Lake Crystal, many years on the board of Zion Lutheran Church, and was a member of the Saturday Morning Men's Bible Study. Del enjoyed time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was an avid gardener, baseball and football fan, and had an endless knowledge and love of cars, especially red ones.

Del is survived by his wife of 50 years, Norma; three children, Scott (Nancy) Ellanson, Karri (Jeff) Fredericksen, Kristi (Gary) Grindstaff all of Lake Crystal; grandchildren, Seth and Shane Ellanson, Kiera (Joshua) Voelker, Thea Fredericksen and special friend, Cody Lillo, Chelsie and Ethan Grindstaff; siblings, Ed (Judy) Ellanson of Mankato, Beverly Ellanson of Boynton Beach, FL, Arleen (David) Nietz of Oakdale, Myron "Butch" (Nancy) Ellanson of Albany, GA, James Ellanson, Robert (Laurie) Ellanson all of Lake Crystal; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Jean Stankey, Marvin Kollos both of Janesville, Marilyn (Elmer) Dimmel of Austin; many nieces and nephews.

Del was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Dene Ellanson.

He will be missed by all whose lives he touched. Del was always willing to help those in need and his generosity continued after his death as a donor.