Robert Ellefsen

Robert “Bob” Ellefsen was born was born November 4th, 1948 to Floyd and Eloise (Waller) Ellefsen in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He grew up in St. Paul until around 5th grade when the family moved to Southern California. He returned to Minnesota while in high school to live with his uncle Oscar on the farm. While there, he reinforced his love of hunting, fishing, trapping and playing basketball. He returned to California to graduate from Buena Park High School in 1967. Shortly after high school he married Susan Nestlen. Their union was blessed with three sons, Barry, Byron, and Benjamin. Bob spent his adult years working in Minnesota and Southern California in various capacities including hobby shop owner, carpenter and at various companies including PPG, Service Craft, and Bayliner. He had a stout dedication to his work and providing for his family. While Bob had been suffering from heart disease for a number of years, he died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 30th 2015 from complications during a procedure at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 66.
Bob took great joy in participating in his grandchildren’s lives. His love shined through as he talked of watching games courtside, hearing of long distance wins on the diamond, and many other activities the grandchildren enjoyed. Bob’s other interests were varied and included fishing, hunting, Minnesota Vikings football, Minnesota Twins baseball, cooking, gardening, travel, and horseracing.
Bob will be lovingly remembered by his three sons and many grandchildren: Barry (Lilly) of Oceanside, California and their children Nina, Ethan, and Grace; Byron (Daphne) of Lake Benton, Minnesota and their children Hailley, Taylor, Samantha, and Hannah; and Ben of Lake Benton, Minnesota and his daughter Mariah; two great grandchildren, Ashya and Isabelle; loving friend and companion Susan Nestle-Fox of Lake Benton, Minnesota; a brother Richard Ellefsen of Lake Elsinore, California; a sister Renee (Dale) Schimel of Apple Valley, Minnesota; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Ronald Ellefsen; and a grandson Jorey Ellefsen.