OBIT: Rodney Ellis

Rodney Charles Ellis, 84, of Charles City, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on April 13, 2023.

There will be a graveside service at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church and St. Croix Hospice of Charles City.

Rodney was born October 16, 1938, in Charles City to Ansel and Alice (Draeger) Ellis. He attended school in Rudd and graduated from Floyd High School in 1956. Rodney married the love of his life, Ruthanne Holmseth on April 26, 1959.

Rodney worked at General Motors in Janesville, Wisconsin, and Oliver in Charles City until he began farming south of Charles City. He farmed and raised dairy cattle, beef cattle, hogs, and horses for 44 years. There were always good hunting dogs on his farm, and he made many life-long friends hunting coon and coyotes. Later in life, he discovered his love of mules and spent many weeks trail riding and traveling all over the United States.

Rodney is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Ruthanne; 3 sons: Robert (Shelby) Ellis , Russell (Lori) Ellis, and Randall (Heather) Ellis; one daughter, Rhonda Schmidtke (special friend Mike McAvoy); grandchildren: Beau (Lauren), Brandon (Grace), Megan (Dave), Blake (Lyndsey), Jenna (Tyler), Taylor (special friend Raphael), Samantha, Tyler (special friend Courtney), Evan (special friend Sadie), Tanner, Keaton (special friend Sydney), Ava, Brayden, Simon, and Addison; great-grandchildren: Caleb, Carleigh, Kiersten, Lucas, Leo, Cooper, Landon, Callum, Alexander, Niko, Cora, Finn, Noa and due in June, Ezra; two sisters, Phyllis Foxen and Beverly (Jerome) Foxen; 3 sisters-in-law: Carolyn Walkup, Joyce Drahn, and Kay Shelton; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ansel and Alice; two brothers, Bill and Leland Ellis; mother and father-in-law, John and Kathryn Holmseth; brothers-in-law; nephews; and many close friends.

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