Jeffrey Roy Ellefson
July 02, 2011
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Service Details
Jeffrey R. Ellefson, 58, of Des Moines, IA passed away at his home on July 2, 2011.
Jeff was born in Milwaukee, WI on October 26, 1952, the son of Verdun E. Ellefson and Helen B. (Waugh) Ellefson. He spent most of his childhood in Prairie Village, Kansas, graduating from Shawnee Mission East in 1971. After graduation, Jeff enlisted in the Navy, serving honorably from 1971 to 1974. He was stationed with the 6th Fleet as a signalman on the destroyer USS Sampson in Athens, Greece.
In 1974, he married Kristin D. Smith of Salina, KS. They had two daughters; Katrin A. Ellefson, Kansas City, KS, and Ann V. Ellefson, Topeka, KS. Jeff earned an accounting degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and worked in that profession until his death. He was a baptized Lutheran who loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jeff was proud of his Norwegian heritage, enjoyed participating in and watching all kinds of sports, and especially liked to play euchre.
He is survived by his daughters, a sister, Linda K. McCoy of Overland Park, KS, a brother, Brian W. Ellefson of Overland Park, KS, nieces, cousins, aunts and many friends. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents.
The family will have a private memorial service on Friday in Topeka, KS. Donations in Jeff’s memory may be made to KSDS, Inc. (www.ksds.org)
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Bruce McCune
08/11/2011
I was very sad to learn today of the passing of my good friend Jeff. I happened to notice his name on a list of my deceased classmates from the Shawnee Mission East Class of 1971 reunion website. Although it has been since 1972 or so that I last saw Jeff, I have thought of him often over the years. We grew up in the same neighborhood in Prairie Village, we were in the same Boy Scout troop, and we spent many hours together. I have many happy memories of the Ellefson family - times together with them at Jeff's home and with Jeff as a guest of the family at the Lake of the Ozarks on vacation.
My memories of Jeff were that of a young man with a zest for life. He was full of energy, had great athletic skills, a positive attitude, and a sense of fun and adventure.
I do have one nice color photograph, scanned from a color slide, of Jeff receiving an honor at a Boy Scout ceremony in 1968. I would love to share it with his family. I live in Overland Park and would certainly enjoy sharing a cup of coffee with Linda or Brian.
Please accept my belated condolences.
Bruce McCune
Don and Margaret Nelson
07/11/2011
Verdun and Helen were very special friends of ours. Verdun and I were associates at P rovidence/St Margaret Health Center for 18 years starting in 1974. As business associates and friends, we enjoyed sharing information about almost everything including our families. Especially since our 2 children also went to Shawnee Mission East, and Verdun and I had been in the hospital business in Kansas City for a number of years including him at Menorah and me at Research. The passing of Verdun, Helen and now Jeff are are hugh losses to us and we know even larger to you, Brian and Linda and the rest of your family. We hope you are comforted by God and knowing that your family has made such meaningful contributions to this community. Blessings to You all, Don and Margaret Nelson
Mary Ravenscroft
07/10/2011
Kat and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. We are thinking of you during this time.
With sincere sympathy,
Mary Ravenscroft and family
Sherry and Bob Ravenscroft
07/10/2011
Kat,
We are so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. You and your family are inour thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Please know that we love you and we hope you keep in touch. Take care and God bless.
Love,
Sherry, Bob, Josh and Jared Ravenscroft
Linda
07/09/2011
Lyrics by John Ylvisaker
"I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell."
"When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living Lord,
to whom you now belong.
If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I'll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk 'till rising sun."
"In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young,
I'll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I've begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise."
"I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold."
Brother, I know that you are at peace now. Love you.
Brad Dee
07/06/2011
I am so sorry for the loss of Jeff..He was trully one of a kind and will never be forgotten by me and anybody that ever had the plesure of meeting him.My condolences to his family.They to will always be in my thoughts.