Bertrum "Bert" Ellingson

Bertrum E. Ellingson, 91, Sisseton, SD, died Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at NorthCare Hospice House in Kansas City, MO.
Funeral services were Tuesday, May 22, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton with Rev. William Schruba and Rev. James Thvedt officiating. Organist was Mona Greseth and vocalist will be Pat Schubert.
Burial was in the Trondhjem Cemetery, rural Rosholt. Pallbearers were Bert's grandchildren, Miranda (Frerichs) and Mark Huesman, Aaron Frerichs, Jason Frerichs, Ryan Frerichs, Laura (Shinn) and Craig Sifers, Jacob Shinn and Erick Shinn and nephews, Brad Ellingson and Jon Ellingson. Military honors were provided by the Fort Sisseton VFW Post 3342 and the Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post 50.
Visitation was Monday, May 21, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church with a prayer service following at 7:00. Visitation continued one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.
Bertrum "Bert" Edwin Ellingson was born April 17, 1921, near Rosholt to Bert and Esther (Stanley) Ellingson. He graduated from Rosholt High School in 1938. Bertrum enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp on January 30, 1941. Bert was a fighter pilot during World War II and flew in the Berlin Airlift while serving with the Eighth Air Force in the European Theater of Operations. He flew the P47 and P51 Mustang on over 50 missions. Bertrum was awarded the Silver Star, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Commendation Medal and the Military Force Humane Action Medal.
On May 15, 1943, Bert married Nilda Renfroe in Connecticut and they were married for 67 years. Bertrum retired from the Air Force on December 13, 1963, as a Lieutenant Colonel. Bert and Nilda returned to the Sisseton area and began farming.
He was a member of the Sisseton School Board, serving as president. Bert also served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1969 to 1980. During this time he was the Assistant Majority Leader, Assistant Minority Leader, Minority Leader, served on the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council and the Constitutional Revision Commission. During Gov. Richard Kneip's administration, Ellingson was instrumental in enactment of the Housing Development Authority, State Investment Council and Repeal and Replacement of Personal Property Tax. Bertrum was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, served on the church council and was a Sunday school teacher. He was also a dedicated member of the South Dakota Democratic Party and the Roberts County Democrats. Bert was awarded the 2010 Rosholt High School Alumnus of the Year.
Bertrum and Nilda spent many winters in Mercedes, TX, and Kerrville, TX. They moved into Sisseton in 2007. He entered the Tekakwitha Nursing Center in June of 2010. Nilda died on June 22, 2010. Bertrum has been a resident of Riverside Nursing and Rehab Center, Riverside, MO, since June of 2011.
Family was very important to Bertrum. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed keeping up with farming with his grandsons. Bertrum will be remembered for his sparkling smile, encouraging words and zest for life.
Grateful to have shared his life are his children, Robert Ellingson of Sisseton, Faye and Kent Frerichs of Wilmot, SD and Linda and Dr. Mic Shinn of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Miranda (Frerichs) and Mark Huesman of Barnesville, MN, Aaron Frerichs of Wilmot, Jason Frerichs of Wilmot, Ryan Frerichs of Wilmot, Laura (Shinn) and Craig Sifers of Kansas City, MO, Jacob Shinn of Kansas City and Erick Shinn of Kansas City; great-grandchildren Noah, Nathanial, Nicholas and Ava Faye Huesman of Barnesville and Ellenore Sifers of Kansas City; siblings, Leorna Williams of Las Vegas, NV, Acey Ellingson of New Effington, SD, Mavis and Darwin Hentz of Alexandria, MN, Mardell Bonfiglio of Old Bridge, NJ, Darrell and Sandy Ellingson of Las Vegas and Marlene and Clem Antonsen of Mineola, TX; and sisters-in-law Clara Presgraves of California and Allie and Marion Holland of South Carolina. Bertrum is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Bertrum was preceded in death by his wife Nilda; parents; brother LeRoy; sisters-in-law Ann and Marlys Ellingson; and brothers-in-law, Douglas, Iyako, John, Jr., Newt and Clint Renfroe.