Ruth Evelyn (Dokken) Ellingson, was born on November 19, 1918, in Langhei Township, Pope County, the daughter of Bennie and Marie (Lien) Dokken. She was baptized on December 15, 1918, by Rev. Christ Pederson at East Zion Lutheran Church and confirmed by Rev. K.R. Palmer in 1933 at East Zion Lutheran Church. She attended school at District #83 and graduated from Benson High School. In 1943 she was united in marriage to Milo A. Ellingson of Swift Falls, by the Rev. K.R. Pederson and the East Zion Parsonage. To this union three children were born, Jerome, Marilyn, and James. Milo and Evelyn shared in forty five years of marriage. Evelyn enjoyed baking, gardening, crocheting, and reading. She placed special pride in her family. She was an Avon representative at Morris for ten years, reaching the highest level of sales in her first year, earning a diamond pin. In later years she enjoyed extensive travel including trips to nearly all of the fifty states and several countries, including Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, and the Holy Land. She loved taking pictures and has a collection of over 50 photo albums. She enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings, playing cards and bingo, and trips with her family and friends. She was a member of the Benson V.F.W. Ladie's Auxiliary, and through the years was a member of WELCA and Lutheran Bible Studies Groups at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson and First Lutheran Church in Morris and taught vacation bible school. Evelyn was currently a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Swift Falls. She was called from this life on October 28, 2011, at the St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul. She attained the age of 92 years, 11 months, and 10 days. Evelyn is survived by her daughter Marilyn Anderson (Michael Longo) of Sierra Vista, Arizona, and her son Jim (Julie) Ellingson of Woodbury; six grandchildren Jill Ellingson (Dave Letsche) of Woodbury, Joel (Terri) Ellingson of Woodbury, Janie (Seth) Schroeder of White Bear Lake, Matt (Michelle) Anderson of Colorado, Heather Ellingson of Woodbury, and Adam Ellingson of Woodbury; nine great grandchildren Rachel Letsche, John Letsche, Joseph Letsche, Tyler Ellingson, Lillie Ellingson, Grace Ellingson, Ali Schroeder, Annika Schroeder and Emily Anderson; a daughter in law, Jane Ellingson (Bill Fredrickson) of Stillwater; and many other nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband Milo in 1988, her son Jerome (Jerry) in 1991, her parents Bennie and Marie, three brothers Noel Dokken, Marvin Dokken, and Marvin Bert (in infancy) and one sister Myrtice Lien.
