STOUGHTON / HANOVER, Ind. - Dr. Paul Robert Ellefsen, age 85, passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2024. He was born in Chicago, Ill., on June 20, 1939, to Jacob Peter and Mae Evelyn Reynertson Ellefsen. He grew up in the Chicago area with his brothers, Donald, Dean Henry and John Ellefsen.

Paul graduated from Austin High School in Chicago in 1957, from Monmouth College in Monmouth, Ill., in 1961 with a B.A. in Chemistry, and from Case Institute of Technology in 1965 with a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry.

He married Barbara S. Clark in 1962. Together they had four children, Peter Dean (Peggy), Minneapolis, Minn., Sara Lynn (Jen Dolan), San Francisco, Calif., Thomas John (Vanessa), Hackensack, Minn., and Eric Paul, Stoughton, Wis.

Paul’s grandchildren include Carly Ellefsen (Peter Goodwin), Jon Ellefsen, Erin Ellefsen (Andy Johnson), Caitlyn Mabbott (Paul Mabbott), Sabrina Finn, Beck Nicholas Ellefsen Dolan, Eliana Barrett, Marjorie Mae Ellefsen, Clara Rose Ellefsen, and a great grandchild, Ruby Mabbott.

Paul was a Professor of Analytical Chemistry at Hanover College, Hanover Ind., from 1965 until his retirement in 2005. He was a faithful member, Elder, and Chair of the Property Committee for the Hanover Presbyterian Church in Hanover. He assisted with the local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as well as the Hanover Pre-School and Church School. He enjoyed hiking and camping with family. He was a life-long learner who thoroughly enjoyed his students.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St., Stoughton, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

Paul’s ashes will be interred at Hanover Presbyterian Cemetery, Hanover, Indiana.

Donations in Paul’s memory may be made to Hanover Presbyterian Church or the Hanover Presbyterian Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton

Funeral & Cremation Care

1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.

(608) 873-4590

Paul R. Ellefsen

June 20, 1939 - June 29, 2024

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