Richard Louis Ellison -- Lake City

Richard Louis Ellison, 88, of Lake City, passed away Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Lake City. He was born Dec. 5, 1925, in Minneapolis, to Victor and Emma (Haas) Ellison. Richard grew up in Lake City and graduated from Lincoln High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, where he was training to become a pilot. He was honorably discharged after the war ended. On July 17, 1948, he married Jean Zillgitt in Lake City. After returning from the service, Richard worked for Bell Telephone Co. He later worked on his in-laws' turkey farm until being hired at the Lake City Post Office, where he later became postmaster, until retiring. Jean passed away Sept. 10, 2004. He was a member of the City Council and was instrumental in starting Hok Si La Park. Richard was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and held many different positions there helping the church. He was also a member of the Lake City American Legion Post 110 and numerous other organizations. In 2011, he was able to take part of the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He enjoyed playing golf, boating and ice boating, traveling and spending time with his family.

Richard is survived by a son, Bradley (Judith), of Lake City; two daughters, Lisa (Paul) Berg, of Kenyon, and Carrie (Dan) Fisher, of Maple Grove; six grandchildren, Jennifer and Josh Ellison, Kiel and Katie Berg, Todd and Laura Fisher; two great-grandsons; significant other, Marlys Dose, of Lake City; brother, Herbert (Marian) Ellison, of Escondido, Calif.; brother-in-law, Bruce (Charlotte) Zillgitt, of San Diego, Calif.; sister-in-law, Joyce Zillgitt, of Lake City; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jean Ellison; sister, Lorraine Maas Olson; and brother-in-law, Curtis Zillgitt.

A funeral service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, at St. John's Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Dennis Valleau officiating. Burial will take place at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Lake City American Legion 110. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel in Lake City, and for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Online memorials can be sent at mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.