SUN PRAIRIE / STOUGHTON - Henry Samuel “Hank” Ellingson, age 82, of Sun Prairie, passed away unexpectedly at the place he loved and worked so hard for in Park Falls, Wis., on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. He was born on December 22, 1942, in Madison, the son of Frederick and Dorothy (Moe) Ellingson.

Henry graduated from Stoughton High School in 1960 and proudly served in the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve from 1964 to 1970.

Although Henry was considered “a catch” by the ladies at General Casualty Insurance Company, it was Shirley Anne Moore that caught his eye and on March 22, 1969, he married the love of his life. They were blessed with two children, son, Brent, and daughter, Torrie.

Henry was a man of the outdoors, camping, fishing, boating around any lake, hunting, traveling to state parks and Canada, and just taking in the quiet and wildlife of the north woods. If he wasn’t outside, he might be bowling, reading a cowboy western book, listening to “good old country” music, enjoying an endless game of Canasta or Euchre with friends, playing solitaire on his laptop, or tinkering in the garage. A can of Pabst Blue Ribbon always at his side.

Henry worked at General Casualty as a Computer Operations Manager, retiring after 47 years, to make his dream come true for his family. The cottage on Butternut Lake became his slice of Heaven, his happy place to share with family and friends. “The Lodge” was always the place to gather for a hot cup of coffee or a cold beer.

Henry adored his grandchildren, always sharing his world and loving them in every way he could. He was so proud of them! Over his many years, dogs were always part of the family, and although he swore he would never have cats, he did and loved and cared for them just the same.

Henry will be greatly missed by his wife of 56 years, Shirley; children, Brent (Jean) Ellingson and Torrie (Bob) Kennedy; grandkids, Kristopher Kennedy, Zackary Ellingson, Daniel Hull and Taylor Kennedy; and sister, Gloria Ellingson of Nashville, Tenn. Many nieces, nephews and friends will share the loss of a kind and giving man.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, with military honors to follow. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. A private interment of ashes will take place at a later date at Roselawn Memorial Park, Monona, Wis.

Henry, Hank, Dad, Doo Dah or Grandpa, whatever name you called him by, was a quiet man of few words, but when he spoke, it was always something so profoundly funny, you never forgot it! He will forever be in our hearts and as we look out over the lake, his memory will be reflected in every ripple, and we’ll have a Pabst in hand just for him.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Henry S Ellingson

December 22, 1942 - March 11, 2025

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