Earl James Ellingson

HAMILTON - Earl James “Jim” Ellingson Jr. passed away on Nov. 15, 2021, in Hamilton, MT at the age of 89.  Jim was born in Decorah, Iowa, on Feb. 12, 1932, to Earl Ellingson and Elsie (Nesset) Ellingson.  His father died before Jim was born and his mother later married his stepfather, Milford Quam.

Jim enlisted in the Air Force when he was 17, and honorably served four years as an airplane mechanic during the height of the Korean War.  After his discharge from the service, Jim married and had two sons.  He moved his family back to Iowa and later to Montana where he became an excellent carpenter and craftsman.  He built and oversaw the construction of hundreds of beautiful custom homes throughout Iowa, Minnesota, and Montana.  After his retirement from home construction Jim lived in Minnesota until 2013 when he moved back to the Bitterroot Valley to be near his eldest son, Jim, and his family.

Jim will forever be missed. He was a kindhearted man who always had a ready smile and was liked by all who knew him. He will always be remembered and loved for the wonderful dad, grandpa, brother, and friend that he was.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Earl James Ellingson; mother, Gertrude Elsie (Nesset Ellingson) Quam; stepfather, A. Milford Quam; sisters, Shirley Dahlstrom, Elsie Lewis, and Alice Quam; brothers, Milton Quam and Roy Quam; sister-in-law, Carol Quam; and brothers-in-law, Kenneth Juve and Robert Dahlstrom.

Jim is survived by his sons, Earl “Jim” Ellingson III (Edie) and Paul Ellingson (Sue); grandsons, Earl Ellingson IV (Christina) and Nick Ellingson (Amanda); granddaughters, Erica Ellingson and Caitlin Ellingson; great grandchildren, Earl V “James”, Abrielle, Asher, Arella, Nora, and Everett Ellingson; sisters, June Juve, Penny Mestad (Larry), Nancy Zweibohmer (Ron); brothers, Carsten Quam, Norman Quam (Maxine), Dale Quam (Evelyn), Roger Quam (Louise), Alfred Quam (Debbie); sisters-in-law, Orma Quam and Maribeth Rover; brother-in-law, Wayne Lewis; and many nephews and nieces.

There will be a Celebration of Life at the Senior Center 820 N. 4th St., Hamilton, MT on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at 11AM followed by lunch.

Interment of ashes with military honors will be held at Springwater Cemetery in Decorah, Iowa in May of 2022. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.