Roger J. Ellis

Roger James Ellis was born on June 24, 1923 and lived in Sterling Township. At age three his family moved to Mapleton, MN. He attended the Mapleton Schools and held a paper route for several years. Later he went to Civilian Conservation Corps. Camp (CCC) a work relief program which planted trees, developed roadways and constructed buildings and parks nationwide. He was a member of the US Army AirForce from 19431946 and served in World War II, 603rd Air Engineering Squadron in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. Roger was awarded a Army Good Conduct Medal. Roger came to Blue Earth in 1947 and roomed at the home of Mr and Mrs Ralph Becker. Between 1949 through 1951 he worked for several businesses in Blue Earth. He helped build the first hospital and several homes, worked at the street department for the city and worked at Ankenys Roller Rink, where he met his lovely wife Marguerite (Peggy). In 1951 Roger joined the Blue Earth Police Department as a patrolman. In 1976 he was appointed as the Assistant Chief of Police and served in that role until his retirement in 1979. Following his retirement from the police force, Roger continued to serve his community by working part-time at St. Lukes Nursing Home and the roadside rest area on Interstate I-90. Roger served the city of Blue Earth for over 30 years. He was a dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church (currently Hope United Methodist church) where he served on many committees. He served as Grand Master Mason of Blue Earth Lodge 57, Worthy Patron of the Ruth Chapter 104 Eastern Star (Urania Chapter 89 of Mapleton, MN), member of the VFW 4508, and the American Legion Post 89. In 1949 he married Marguerite J. Dray and they were blessed with seven children, 5 girls and 2 boys. Roger is survived by his wife Peggy, and daughter Kayla (& Jerry) Kuhlman, Bloomington, MN; son John (& Ruthanne) Ellis, Armstrong, IA; daughter Kathleen (& Tim) Peterson, Fairmont, MN; daughter Colleen (& Richard Jerome, Jr.) Boran, Forest City, IA; daughter Susan Ellis (& fiance Ray Milligan), St. Paul, MN; son Robert (& Michelle) Ellis, Wyoming, MN; daughter Christine (& Michael) Manno, Chanhassen, MN. Twelve grand children: Steven (& Jody) Kuhlman, Sean Kuhlman, Tracy Williams, Jackie Ellis (& Eric Wasmund), Brooke (& Ralph) Thoren, Brant (& Bretta) Penney, Chad (& Jenny) Boran, Christopher (& Heather) Boran, Melinda and Colton Flores, Alyssa and Taylor Manno. Fifteen great-grand children Seth, Grant & Khloe Kulhman, Marriah, Tyler, Markus, Daija Williams, Mikol Ellis, Kaylee Sharit, Dakota, Dylan & Morgan Thoren, Benjamin & Elenore Penney and Ellis James Boran. Roger was preceded in death by his mother Eva and Father James, step-father James Griffin, brothers Gordon, Roderick, and Robert John (his twin), and sisters Vera McIntyre and Janet Adelia Lemke and great-grand daughter Kylie Thoren. He will be deeply missed by his immediate and extended family and many friends. May he rest in peace.