Obituary of Emil ELLINGSEN

March 23, 1923 – Inwood, Manitoba
September 17, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

On Thursday, September 17, 2020, Emil Ellingsen passed away at the age of 97 years. 

Emil was born in a log cabin during the worst snowstorm of the year on a farm near Inwood, MB on March 23, 1923 to parents Edward and Lotte. At the age of 17 he joined the Army as a Gunner in the First Medium Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery. After training in England his regiment was shipped to Sicily. Emil spent his first week there confined to barracks for showing up in the morning not properly dressed.  His regiment moved north through Italy where they provided artillery assistance during the Italian Campaign. Emil returned home to Canada in 1945 but soon became ill with tuberculosis. Once he recovered he moved to Dawson Creek where he met Jorgine Salte at a church meeting. He asked if he could drive her home, the beginning of their romance. They married in 1952 with 200 dollars between them. Soon after they settled in Edmonton, where Emil worked for the Alberta Provincial Government Paint Shop as a clerk. It is in Edmonton where they raised their four children. He loved playing his guitar, especially to the songs of the 40’s.  

Emil will be forever remembered by his four children, Sharon, John, Douglas and Lavonne; and his grandchildren, Erica, Colin, David, Graham, Erin, Joel and Lauren. Emil was predeceased by his wife Jorgine (Salte); sisters, Solveig and Lily; and brothers, Eilif and Norman.  

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Emil’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. Emil’s children would like to thank Carewest Colonel Belcher in Calgary for the kind and excellent care they provided to Emil during his last few years.     

In living memory of Emil Ellingsen, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.