Michael Charles Ellingson

Michael Charles Ellingson, 80, of Sierra Vista, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 21, 2024, in hospice after a long health battle.

Born on December 26, 1943, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, to Sidney and Edna (Larson) Ellingson, Michael was a beloved father, grandfather, stepfather, uncle, great uncle and brother to so many, known for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering dedication to his family and friends.

Michael's early years were spent in Ashby, Minnesota, where he attended grade school and graduated in 1961 with all the same peers from grade school. A man of many talents, Michael excelled in baseball and other sports. He maintained lifelong friendships with his classmates and attended the University of Minnesota in Morris, MN for a year, before embarking on his professional journey. He worked with a few local businesses before he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967. Michael later moved to Cambridge, Minnesota where he worked as a recruiter.

He then met and later married Karen A. Lawrence in 1979. Mike and Karen combined their family of six children: Michael's daughter Sarah and son Clinton, and Karen’s sons Gary, Greg, Steven, and daughter Dawn. The couple moved to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, in 1983, eventually settling in Sierra Vista in 1986. Michael proudly served his country for 22 years, with assignments taking him to Kentucky, New Jersey, Washington State, Italy, Thailand, Honduras, Iran to name a few. After his distinguished military career retirement was not for him, Michael continued working as a civilian contractor for the military, specializing in fiber optics and telecommunications engineering for over a decade with SAIC.

Michael was a dedicated Elks member since his younger years and remained active until his passing. Michael was their Exalted Ruler as well as holding many other offices with the Elks. He was also a part of Legion and VFW. He even helped the women’s auxiliary from time to time (he liked to keep busy).

His love for gardening and yard care earned him multiple "Yard of the Month" awards while living in Fort Huachuca. Together Michael and Karen always made those around them feel their love, faith, and kindness. They also shared a passion for travel, often visiting family in Minnesota, New York, West Virginia, and Washington as well as a few Cruises.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Edna Ellingson; his brother, Stanley Ellingson and wife Joanne, stepchildren Gary and Dawn Lawrence and brother-in-law/mother-in-law LeRoy / Edna Brummond.

He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 45 years, Karen A. Ellingson; his brother Paul and sister Janice; his children Sarah (Scott) Vallier, Clinton (Stephanie) Ellingson and his stepsons Greg (Diane) Lawrence and Steven Lawrence; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren 5 nieces and nephews as well as 10 great nieces and nephews.

Michael will be dearly missed and always remembered as a kind, loving individual who was a great father, grandfather, uncle, great uncle and friend to so many. A man always willing to lend a hand or a shoulder and known as BIG E, by so many.

A special thank you to Steven Lawrence for his dedicated care of Michael and Karen in recent years.

A service to honor Michael's life will be held on July 12, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1300 S. Buffalo Soldier Trail, Sierra Vista, Arizona, followed by a Memorial Service at the Sierra Vista Elk Lodge, 1 Elks Lane, Sierra Vista, Arizona.

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