Byron Ellingson

BYRON MICHAEL "MIKE" ELLINGSON

Clarence

Byron Michael "Mike" Ellingson, 68, of Clarence, died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, due to complications from a recent fall.

He was born Jan. 28, 1949, in Charles City, Iowa, to Rosemary Orth Ellingson

and Merle Ellingson. Mike graduated from St. Ansgar High School and received his teaching degree from the University of Iowa. He married Diana, the love of his life, on June 28, 1997. Visitation will be Saturday, Nov. 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, 4200 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. A celebration of Mike's life will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Noelridge Christian Church, Cedar Rapids.

Mike loved people and touched the lives of so many with his quick wit and caring personality. He taught business classes and coached in the Clarence-Lowden and North Cedar schools for 39 years. He was a Scout leader, served on the Clarence City Council for four years and was mayor for 18 years.

His hobbies included reading, golfing, traveling, collecting toy trucks and anything Beatles. He and Diana enjoyed attending cultural activities, Minnesota Vikings football games, Hawkeye sporting events and going on adventures. Mike also was the proud founder of the Tastefully Topless Clarence Convertible Club.

Mike's strong Christian faith was evidenced by years of service at Noelridge Christian Church, where he has served as elder, deacon, moderator, Sunday school teacher, mowing crew and MOPS shepherd. He was sensitive to the needs of others, and his church family was an integral part of his life. His love and care for others was shown by his final act of giving to the Iowa Donor Network.

Survivors include his wife, Diana; sons, Brandon (Tammy) Ellingson of Ottumwa, Iowa, Derick (Jasmine) Ellingson of Hubbard, Ore., and James (Jill) Hagist of Palm Harbor, Fla.; daughter, Kim (Terry) Dickinson of Elkhart Lake, Wis.; sisters, Colette Ellingson of St. Ansgar, Iowa, Ann (Dave) Tyler of Mason City, Iowa, and Barbara Garcia of Osage, Iowa; mother-in-law, Dorothy Phillips of Clarence, Iowa; grandchildren, A.J. (Courtney) Hagist, Charles Johnson, Deidre, Lexi and Jake (Madelynn) Dickinson and Mira Hagist; great-grandchildren, Rowan, Reid and Maya; and several nieces and nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ken Ellingson.

Memorials may be made to Noelridge Christian Church or the Clarence Ambulance Service.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.