Bernhard 'Ben' Ellingson

Bernhard (Ben) Harold Ellingson, 84, of Nisswa, Minnesota, passed away at his home on June 27th, 2024.

Ben was born on August 3rd, 1939, in Rapid City, South Dakota, to Martin Harold Ellingson and Georgie Mae Bules Ellingson. His early years saw him move from South Dakota to Los Angeles, and at the age of 10, he relocated to North Dakota with his mother and stepfather, Donald Leroy Kinney, where they began farming in the fields around Manvel.

Ben graduated from Manvel High School and enlisted in the US Air Force, recognizing that farming was not his calling. While stationed in Great Falls, Montana, he met Bette Marie Bobbett, his love and life partner in all things. They married on February 17, 1962. He balanced military service with education, attending Great Falls State College for a year and later joined Boeing's missile department to fund further schooling.

Ben and Bette eventually settled in Grand Forks, where Ben attended the University of North Dakota for two years before transferring to the University of Minnesota Dental School. Four years later, he graduated as valedictorian of his class with a D.D.S. degree. Continuing his academic journey, he spent an additional two years earning his M.S.D. in Orthodontics, receiving several academic awards along the way.

In 1971, Ben and Bette followed their passion for work and play to the Brainerd Lakes area, where they founded the Ellingson Orthodontic Office. Ben dedicated himself to his practice for 30 years before retiring in 2001. Over the years, he took great pride in running into former patients who proudly displayed his handiwork with bright smiles.

Living in the lakes area provided Ben with abundant opportunities to pursue his many passions, including hunting, fishing, and sharing his love for the outdoors with his children and grandchildren. He was self-accomplished in many hobbies being an ultralight pilot, artist, painter, sailor, boater, welding sculptor, maker of Native American flutes, kiteboarder, windsurfer, inventor, and fudge and buttermilk pancake aficionado . He couldn’t remove the farm boy in him, so he raised a variety of animals including goats, turkeys, geese, bunnies, pigeons, parakeets, cats and dogs. 

He and Bette enjoyed their numerous winters spent in south Texas, where he enjoyed the new sports of kiteboarding, windsurfing, and kayak fishing.

Ben is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Leo Don Kinney. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bette; son David (Kim) and their children Jacob (Summer) and Madelaine; daughter Nicole (Carlos) Nestler and their children Caden and Colten; son Grant and his children Marin and Kellen. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Solvi and Ole Ellingson, his sister Nona (John) Huyler, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, July 3rd at First Lutheran Church of Brainerd, with visitation at 10:00 am and service at 11:00 am. Fellowship and light lunch will follow the service. Private interment to follow.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.