Cover photo for James Ellis's Obituary
James Ellis Profile Photo
1936 James 2013

James Ellis

August 12, 1936 — August 16, 2013

James "Jim" Ellis, 77 of rural Underwood died Friday, August 16, 2013 at the Battle Lake Good Samaritan Center.

James Harvey Ellis was born on August 12, 1936 in Minneapolis, Minnesota the son of Harvey and Rosella (Sheridan) Ellis. He graduated from the University High School in Minneapolis in 1954. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1954 to 1957 as a boiler tender on the Steven Potter Destroyer. Jim spent most of his enlistment overseas, traveling all around the world. After his discharge he attended three years at the Dunwoody Institute, becoming a bricklayer.

Jim and Beverly Greer were married on August 24, 1957 in Reno, Nevada. After their marriage they lived in St. Anthony Village, then in Lino Lakes before buying their farm by Stanchfield and Jim was doing Mason work. In 1982, they purchased the Graystone Lodge on Otter Tail Lake which they operated until 1994. In 1993, Jim and Bev bought the Old Brick Inn in Battle Lake operating until their retirement in 2000. He also did mason work while owning the businesses and after retirement he and Bev traveled in their motor home. He was a member of the Eagles, VFW, American Legion, Moose Lodge, Shriners of Minneapolis and the Masonic Lodge in Fergus Falls. Jim enjoyed fishing, loved all sports, was a Golden Gloves Boxer and was always a farmer want to be. He really enjoyed going to Bev's sisters ranch by Kalispell, Montana and helping during branding.

He is survived by his wife, Bev; four children, Cheryl (Donald) Maslow and Art (Denise) Ellis both of Battle Lake, Kathy (Terry) Potrament of Braham and Annette (Tom) Stevens of Battle Lake; nine grandchildren, Brandon (Bekah) Maslow, Angel (Brian) Moen, Abra and Scott Ellis, Jenny (Zach) Nelson, Erin (Jesse) Doberstein, Sara Whaley, Sammy (Swain) Babcock and Mike (Jennifer) Stevens; six great-grandchildren, Emily, Caleb, Allie, Jake, Ian and Olie; three sisters, Lynn (Dennis) Hill of Moose Lake, Patricia (Clark) Marten of Rochester and Susie Kaminski of Minneapolis; and by numerous relatives and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Rosella Ellis; and by two brothers, Warren and Earl Ellis.

Funeral Service: 11 am, Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at the Zion Lutheran Church of Amor, rural Battle Lake

Visitation: one hour prior to the service

Clergy: Rev. James Gronbeck

Military Honors: Minnesota National Guard

Interment: Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Cemetery, Battle Lake

James Ellis

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Ellis, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 21

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree