Bernie Ellison

Bernard "Bernie" Wayne Ellison was born June 1, 1922, in Missouri Valley, Iowa to Floyd and Louise (Peterson) Ellison. He graduated from the Woodbine High School in 1942. During high school Bernie was a lifeguard at the sandpit. After high school he joined the United States Navy. He was discharged in March of 1943, and then he worked for the railroad. He started working for Harrison County REC in the summer of 1949. He worked his way up as a ground lineman of the line crew, an apprentice lineman, and then a lineman. He worked for the REC for 43 years. On September 9, 1950, Bernie married Kathleen Bamford at the Christian Church parsonage in Logan, Iowa.

Bernie loved roller skating, dancing, fishing, collecting rocks and hunting. He continued to hunt with a bow and arrow until this last year. He also enjoyed traveling to Minnesota for many years. In 1973 they purchased a cabin at Lakeview and he enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with his children and grandchildren.

Bernie died October 4, 2003, at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 81 years, four months, and three days.

Bernie is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers Melvin who was killed in WWII, Harley, and Floyd Jr.; infant sister Pauline; and infant daughter Cindy. He is survived by his wife of 53 years Kathleen; three children Wayne Ellison and his wife Patty of McClelland, Iowa, Penny and her husband Roger Peterson of Woodbine, Iowa, Ben Ellison and his wife Brenda of Topeka, Kansas; nine grandchildren; four great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Helen Dixon of Dallas, Texas and many other relatives and friends.