Arley Ellingson

February 1, 1956 - May 26, 2016

Arley Q. Ellingson, 60, Donnellson, IA, and formerly of Grand Forks, ND, died Thursday, May 26, 2016 in Grand Forks.

Arley was born February 1, 1956 in Fort Hood, TX, the son of Odney and Lorraine (Doeden) Ellingson. He was raised and educated in Grand Forks and graduated from Red River High School in 1974. He graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD, and earned his Masters of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO.  Arley  married Peggy Peters on August 29, 1977 in Jamestown, ND.

Arley was a dedicated United Methodist pastor for 35 years, serving churches in North Dakota and Iowa. These churches included Wyndmere, Lidgerwood, Antelope, Neche, Cavalier First, McClusky, Goodridge, Drake, Chasley (North Dakota), and Elgin St. Paul, Illyria Community, Onawa, Turin, Agency, Eldon, Batavia (Iowa). Arley engaged in many community service activities (too many to list them all), some of which included being an instrumental youth pastor and a founding member of Beulahland Christian Bible Camp. Other civic organizations he worked with were the Lions Club and Masons. He also led and participated in more than 250 volunteer mission trips.

Arley loved to sing, as demonstrated by his work in Gospel Theater and Madrigal Singers, and his random outbursts into song.  He was a devoted Elvis Presley fan and even had a room in his home dedicated to Elvis. He was an executive member of the Elvis Fan Club, and he and Peggy renewed their wedding vows at Graceland (dressed in period attire), an event that aired nationally on the Elvis station on XM Radio.  He was a master pumpkin carver, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, black powder shooting, camping, spending time with family, playing video games with his grandson, Eddie, and was an avid collector of baseball cards and memorabilia. 
 

Survivors include his wife, Peggy Ellingson, Donnellson, IA; children, William (Malonie) Ellingson, Gillette, WY, Erika Reichenbach, Des Moines, IA; grandson, Eddie; parents, Odney and Lorraine Ellingson, Grand Forks, ND; brother, Mark (Shari) Ellingson, Grand Forks, ND; sister-in-law, Illeta Ellingson and niece Cassidy of East Grand Forks, MN; and his service dog, Harley.

Arley was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Jerry Reichenbach; by a brother, Odney Ellingson, Jr.; and his service dog, Otto.

A Celebration of life will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, May 31, 2016 in Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the funeral home and will continue for the hour before the service. Burial will be in Memorial Park South Cemetery of Grand Forks.
In lieu of flowers the family asks memorials be directed to Pawsitivity Service Dogs, UMCOR US Disaster Response Advance #901670, or a charity of your choice.