Phillip Allen Ellingson

Phillip (Phil) Allen Ellingson, 72, of Fargo, ND passed away on January 13th, 2024. Phil was born in Detroit Lakes, MN to Pearl (Johnson) and Elmer Ellingson on September 14th, 1951. He grew up on several farms in the Ulen and Lake Park areas. His love of the outdoors started as a child when he would spend his free time doing farm work, catching fish and frogs, and participating in countless other activities.

Phil was raised by a village of caring and loving family and friends in the Ulen, Lake Park, and Detroit Lakes areas due to the passing of his mother at childbirth. This village fostered his development into a loving and caring jokester. Phil walked uphill both to and from school in Ulen, MN and graduated from Ulen High School in 1969. In 1974, he began his career as a machinist at Steiger Tractor (now Case IH) in Fargo, where he worked until he retired in 2014.

Phil could catch a fish anywhere and anytime, in particular on Lake Six. His overwhelming love of fishing was known by all who knew him. As a teller of long and winding stories, his fishing stories were some of the most frequently retold. He delighted in fishing with his grandchildren (all of whom found THE best spot on the lake), and the retelling of their fishing adventures always made him glow. These memories are some of his grandchildren’s favorites.

In 1980, Phil reeled in the best catch of his life when he married Kathy, and their families were joined. For 43 years his love for her was a constant presence in their lives. Phil was a very proud father and did all he could to raise his kids well. When the grandkids came along, so did a whole new joy. Their adventures included long scenic car rides, fishing, nature walks, hockey, soccer, baseball, and football games, car races, demolition derbies, car repairs, riding his Harley and scooter and lawnmower rides and more. Phil’s other joys in life included his dogs, good jokes, crossword puzzles, rock collecting, playing cards, tending the lawn, keeping snow off the driveway, and telling long stories, often multiple times. He was a proud Norwegian with a heart of gold, always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Phil is survived by his wife Kathryn Ellingson (Fritz), children Jeremy Ellingson (Vanessa) Fargo ND, Krissa Skogen (Norm Wickett) Clemson SC, Tyler Ellingson (Trina) Pembroke Pines FL, Sarah Robison (Dustin) Fargo ND, sisters Sheri Schreiner (Mark) Ulen MN, JoAnn Holte (Kevin) Ulen MN, Lois Kuehn Port Orchard WA and brother Douglas Ellingson (Kathryn) Hillsboro ND, and eight grandchildren: Tanner Ellingson (Ashtyn), Robert Ellingson, Kaila Ellingson, Ryan Robison, Marcus Ellingson, Brody Robison, Ingrid Wickett, and Frankie Wickett. Phil was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Pearl Ellingson, stepmother Helen Ellingson, sister Bonnie Chase, and brothers Gene Larck, Curtis Larck, and Paul Ellingson.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 26th 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo ND. Visitation will continue at 1:00 pm Saturday, January 27th at Strandvick Lutheran Church, Lake Park, MN, and funeral service at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nature Conservancy at https://preserve.nature.org/page/81523/donate.