Erma Colleen Ellingson

The funeral service for Erma Ellingson, 94, of Marshall, will be Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall. A livestream of the service will be available at the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church YouTube Channel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment at Fort Snelling will take place at a later date.

Erma Colleen (Severson) Ellingson was born on January 11, 1929, in Madison, MN, to Elmer and Alma (Hanson) Severson. As a child, Erma moved with her family to Clarkfield, then to Marshall in 1945. On June 26, 1949, Erma married Clifton Ellingson in Marshall, MN. From this union three children were born; Michael, Thomas, and Louise. In 1966, the couple and two business partners established Southwest Wholesale, Inc.  In 1984, they retired and the business was sold to their children.  The couple then split their time between Marshall and Florida. 

Erma was an active member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall. In her free time, Erma painted ceramics and began drawing in her later years. She enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge and Ponytail canasta. Erma also enjoyed playing the penny slots at the casinos. She loved watching birds on her birdfeeders. Erma was a kind woman, and she had a sassy side as well. Erma and Cliff enjoyed traveling with Cliff’s brothers and their wives. Grandchildren were very important to her and she enjoyed attending their activities. She also enjoyed spending time at the lake and watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins.

Erma died on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. She is survived by her children Mike (Pam), Tom (Pat), Louise (Mike) all of Marshall; grandchildren Chris (Anna), Ben (Karen), Sam (Molly), Colleen (Bill), Casey, Randi (Josh), Anthony (Cierra), Alan (Jess), David (Alee), Kevin, and Rachel (Riley); great-grandchildren Maia (fiancée Jade), Lyam, Morgan, TeSean, Kiersten, Carter, Jack, Aggie, Logan, and Mason; brother-in-law Byron; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Cliff, siblings Arlene, Delores, and Louie, and great-granddaughter Hope.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Marshall Adult Community Center or Samuel Lutheran School.