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Dean Ellison, age 86, of Lemmon, SD, passed away on Friday, October 11, 2024 at the Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger, ND.

Funeral services for Dean will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Lemmon, SD.  Charlotte Kvale will officiate with burial to follow in the Selma Union Cemetery near the Ellison ranch north of Thunderhawk, SD.

Visitation for Dean will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by a family service at 7:00 p.m. all on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD.

Dean Mervin Ellison was born "on the Cedar River" in southern Grant County, ND on July 25, 1938,  to Edward and Ora (Dokken) Ellison.  He was the third of four sons, the others being Mitchel, Darrel and Larry.

Dean received a country school education near his home and graduated from Lemmon High School in 1956.  He spent his life as a farmer and rancher, enjoying the outdoors and the shifting seasons.

At Lemmon on April 16, 1961 he married Lila Jean Miller of Morristown.  Together, they enjoyed and expanded their ranching/farming operation and welcomed two sons, Gary in 1961, and Douglas in 1962.

From his childhood days until he was no longer able, Dean spent countless hours in the saddle.  Checking the cows was an important pastime, as was attending the weekly livestock sale.  Later he would watch online sales regularly.  To the end, he actively managed his businesses.  His work was his pleasure.  Dean served his church and community for many years, being a deacon and trustee for Calvary Lutheran Church and a board member of Southwest Grain and the New Leipzig Rural Fire Department.

In 2001 Dean was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a typically quick and fatal form of cancer.  After many trips to health centers at Boston and Houston and several major surgeries by renowned surgeon Dr. David Sugarbaker, Dean was able to enjoy an additional 23 years of life.  He was, said Dr. Sugarbaker, the "poster boy" of mesothelioma survival.

Dean is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Lila; son Douglas and wife Mary, Medora, ND; grandson Jon Knapp and wife McKinzie, West Fargo, ND; granddaughter Ashley Ellison; great-grandson Andrew Knapp and great-granddaughter Aubrie Knapp, West Fargo, ND; sisters-in-law Edna Ellison, Lemmon, SD and Connie Ellison, Dickinson, ND; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Ora; father-in-law William Miller and mother-in-law Rachel Miller Stelter; brothers Mitchel, Darrel and Larry; sisters-in-law LeNae Ellison and Toots Ellison; and son Gary in 2015.