Jean Ellefson, of Dawson, died Friday, December 16, 2016 at Johnson Memorial at the age of 85.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson. Rev. Kendall Stelter will officiate and burial will be at Grace Lutheran Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday from 5-7:00 PM at Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson with a prayer service at 6:30 PM. There will also be visitation at the church for one hour before the service.
Jean Ardis Zietlow Ellefson was born in Madison, MN on March 5, 1931 to Alfred and Alice (Kompelien) Zietlow. She was baptized at St. Lucas Lutheran Church rural Cottonwood. She was confirmed at Tyro Church, rural Boyd. Jean attended grade school and Clarkfield High School. Jean Hveem was united in marriage to Howard Ellefson at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown, SD by Rev. Meer on March 9, 1953. Three children joined this union: Curtis Hveem, Vickie and Michael Ellefson.
Jean and Howard lived all their married life of 63 years in Dawson. She was employed at several cafes and as a cook at the Dawson Nursing Home for 23 years. Jean and Howard enjoyed many winters in California, summers at their lake cabin, and went to a number of places on cruise ships. She enjoyed cards, Bingo, fishing, having coffee with friends and family and family gatherings.
Jean is survived by her husband, Howard; children: Curtis (Vickie) Hveem, San Diego, CA, Vickie (David) Grow, Dawson, MN and Michael (friend Lydia) Ellefson, Riverside, CA; grandchildren: Jessie (John) Williams, Justin Wiltshire, Nate (Amie) Peterson, Tad Peterson, Brendon (Jessica) Hawley, Keaton Taylor, Laura Hveem; great-grandchildren: Kellen Williams, Colton Williams, Ayla Hawley, and soon to be baby Peterson.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her grandparents; sisters: Louise Odden, Phyllis Bach, Marlyce Miller; brothers: Marvin, Ardine, Donald, and David Zietlow; sisters-in-law: Carol Zietlow and Florence Zietlow; brothers-in-law: Glen Miller, Erling Odden; niece, Darlene Gaven; nephews, Del Zietlow, Chad Bach as well as other extended family.