Kenneth Ellertson Obituary

KEN ELLERTSON
January 17, 1927 ˜ October 17, 2021

Ken was born Jan. 17, 1927 to Homer and Marie (Mattox) Ellertson in Vancouver, WA. He was born with a happy and good-natured soul. Ken had a deep compassion for others and lived with an enviable grace and enthusiasm for life. He was a man of gratitude and humility founded in his Christian faith. On Oct. 17, Ken passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and his brother Don.
Ken often said that his greatest blessing in life was having three wonderful and loving wives. He married Opal Rastede Jan. 24, 1947. They had four children before her death in a fatal car crash in July 1956. He married Donna Loewen Aug. 17, 1957 whom he called “the love of my life” and they had another child. Donna died of renal failure in June 2002. On Nov. 1, 2003 he married Marjorie Charlston Moll. She died in December 2017.
Ken and Opal left shortly after their wedding for Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Ken became a Washington State Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director. He became partner and owner of the Vancouver Funeral Chapel for 33 years and remained employed there for a total of 71 years. Ken was president of the Washington State Funeral Directors Association from 1985-1986. Ken was Clark County Coroner from 1963-1971.
One of his deepest passions was teaching Sunday School, Bible Studies and fundraising for Trinity Lutheran Church where he was a lifetime charter member. He was involved in the Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Greater Clark County Rotary Club, Dawn Breakers Service Club and Young Life. He enjoyed downhill skiing, welding, motorcycling in the hills, backpacking, boating, and traveling with Donna in the RV with friends and family.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Greg; wives, Opal, Donna, and Marjorie; sister, Kathleen Molyneux; and adopted son, Burke Harris. He is survived by brothers, Donald Ellertson, Rodney (Donna) Ellertson; brother-in-law, Lawrence Molyneux. He is also survived by his children, Kathryn (Warren) McPike, Mark (Barbara) Ellertson, Gretchen (Ronald) Brown, Jan (Joanne) Ellertson; 11 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. He also has many very near and dear nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, Ken would like memorials to be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Building Maintenance Fund and Peace Health Hospice, Vancouver WA.
Public viewing will be held Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 from 12:00-4:00 p.m. at Northwood Park Cemetery, 16407 NE 15th Ave. Ridgefield, WA.
Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. 309 W 39th Street, Vancouver, WA, with the burial following at 2:00 p.m., Northwood Park Cemetery.
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