Daniel Lee Ellingson

Daniel Lee Ellingson, 52 of Dell Rapids passed away Saturday, March 28, 2009 surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with ALS.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids with burial in the Dell Rapids Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM with the family present from 5:30 to 8:00 PM Monday at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids.

Dan was born September 22, 1956 in Milbank, SD to parents Howard and Marcie (Dieken) Ellingson. He was raised and received his education in Madison, SD graduating from Lake Central High School in 1975. During high school he was the keyboard player for the band “Silent Majority”. He was a member of and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Madison. He married Darla Van Rosendale in 1978 and from this union the couple was blessed with a son, Ryan Daniel. In 1981 Dan opened the Side Pocket in Madison later called the Main Event. Dan moved to Dell Rapids in 1985 where he managed Dells Bowl and later purchased it from his parents. He married Shelley Dodds in 1991. Dan and Shelley owned Dells Bowl until Dan’s retirement in 2007.

Dan was a founding member of the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Dell Rapids Lutheran Church, the Madison Elks Lodge, and the Men’s American Bowling Congress. Dan was an avid golfer and bowler and to this day holds the high scratch series of 796 at Dells Bowl. He was an avid racing fan, driver and co-owner of the Lake County Speedway in the mid 80’s. During Dan’s racing career he drove street stock, sprints and later the pace vehicle and shared his love of racing with his family. Dan was a skilled carpenter and used that skill to remodel and build many of his homes. He enjoyed traveling and hunting and was known by many as an avid sports nut. He will be missed for his great compassion for life and his entrepreneurial efforts that benefited the communities in which he lived. Dan’s family would like to thank Dr. Joe Prasek and staff of the Avera Dell Rapids Health Facility and also Compassionate Care Hospice staff for the special care and loving attention they gave him. They would also like to thank Southridge Healthcare for the care they gave to Dan and his family in the last week of his life. A special thank you to Father Tschakert and Pastor Mark Docken for the spiritual guidance given to Dan.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Shelley, Dell Rapids, son, Ryan (Brooke Amundson), Dell Rapids; parents, Howard and Marcie, Dell Rapids, brothers, Ted, Madison; Ron (Terry), Madison; Mike (Julie), Dell Rapids; first wife, Darla Van Rosendale, Sioux Falls; father-in-law, Jim Dodds, Eagle, NE; mother-in-law, Mary Rudebusch, Madison; brothers-in-law, Craig Dodds, White Lake, SD and Brad Dodds, Granby, CO; sister-in-law, Terri (Mike) Olund, Dell Rapids; special “curly tailed” friends, Libbey and Coco; numerous nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.

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