Donald Ellingson

Donald David Ellingson was born August 20th, 1924 in Crandon, South Dakota. This was the generation that endured the Dust Bowl Era, the Great Depression, World War II, Korean conflict, Vietnam War, and gulf Wars. Don graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1942. He began to study in commercial art at a two-year college in Hollywood, California. He returned to Billings for his call from the draft and was granted a farm deferment to assist with his Uncle's farm and family in South Dakota. This led to temporary work in custom combining from Texas to Canada. In February 1946, Don married Alice Lund of Rosebud, Montana. Always a hard worker, Don was employed at Billings Dairy Farm and the State Agricultural Experimental Farm, managed a Conoco service station, eventually working his way into a career as a geophysical draftsman where he created sub-surface geology maps for gas, oil and coal exploration for Seaboard Oil and Mobile Oil. The family soon expanded with the addition of four children: Duane, Dean, Gary and Karen. In January of 1960, the family was transferred to Haysville, Kansas and then to Casper, Wyoming with Mobile Oil in 1966. Don left Casper for Montana and employment with Westmoreland Resources at the office at the Sarpy Creek Mine near Hardin, Montana where he retired. Don and Alice spent many happy hours square dancing and joining or starting clubs wherever they lived. Don has always had a love of the outdoors; hunting, fishing and camping. Don was preceeded in death by his wife, Alice and son, Gary. He is survived by 3 children, nine grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren. Family requests that in lieu of flowers donation be made to Greenhouse Living of Sheridan at 2311 Shirley Cove, Sheridan Wy 82801 or St. Judes Children's Hospital.