Ells Leroy Cackler

Ells Leroy Cackler was born on June 5, l923 at Melcher, Iowa and passed away at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines at the age of 102 on August 4, 2025 following a stroke. His parents were Leroy Sanford Cackler and Amanda Belle (McCormick) Cackler. His Mother died in 1928 when he was 4 1/2 years old. His father later remarried and moved to California. Ells and his older sister, Francis, remained in Melcher and were raised by grandparents William Leslie Ells McCormick and Mary Ann McCormick.
During his high school years in Melcher, Ells was active in sports playing on the football team which was undefeated in his senior year. He was also editor of the school yearbook and Hawkeye Boys State representative at Camp Dodge. Throughout high school, Ells had a newspaper route and worked at a local grocery store. When hard times fell upon the family after Grandpa McCormick lost his job at the coal mine, Ells stepped forward and was able to purchase a small home for the family with the money he earned from his two jobs. Speaking of this, Ells said that during the Great Depression money was scarce, and his offer to purchase the house over time ($10 per month for 5 years) was the best offer that the owners received.
Even in the midst of trying economic times, there were opportunities for fun. Fondly, Ells described a place outside of town by the cemetery where the locals would gather in the winter months for sledding. A country road ran down one hill and then immediately up to the top of the adjoining hill forming a perfect place for sledding. A bonfire was started at the top of each hill which provided welcome warmth for the sledders.
After high school, Ells enlisted in the Army during WWII and received signal core training at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He met the love of his life, Inga Johanna Olson, at the university's Varsity Cafe where she was a waitress. They were married June 25, 1944. Ells received further training in California and Texas and shipped overseas in January, 1945. After 3 months, he was injured in Germany, earning the Purple Heart military award.
After the war, Ells majored in Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and Iowa State University. After graduation, he worked for Iowa Power and Light Company in Des Moines and Red Oak for 30 years. They also lived in Indianola during his working years. After retirement, Ells served as caretaker at the Guthrie Grove Campgrounds, Guthrie Center, Iowa for 5 years and then as bus driver and part-time custodian for the Waukee School District. Eventually, Ells and Inga fully retired to Perry, Iowa. Inga passed away in 2001. At age 98, he moved to Spurgeon Assisted Living in Dallas Center, Iowa.
Ells was a devoted Christian-kind, patient, gentle with a charming sense of humor. His hard work ethic and sharp intellect kept him actively designing and building most of his life. When there was a need with family or friends, you could count on him to be there. Ells was active in his church as a lay minister and regularly presided at services, preached, taught classes, and performed the church ordinances including baptizing his three children. Ells and Inga enjoyed fellowshipping with family and friends and would often invite people into their home for a meal or travel to visit family and friends in other places including Australia and Norway.
Family vacations were a regularly scheduled event over the years. Ells took his family to California and the western states, north to Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Canada, and south to Oklahoma and Texas. Other family activities included camping, fishing, hunting, woodworking, and seasonal farming with his son-in-law.
Ells enjoyed running as a pastime. He tells of the time while in the army that he and a friend would run on Sunday afternoons just for something to do. Later in life, while working in Des Moines, he would run and swim at the YMCA during his lunch hour. In retirement, he continued to be active riding his bicycle on the bike trails in the area, often traveling long distances. These activities undoubtedly contributed to his long and healthy life.
Surviving family members include 3 children: Ells Thomas (Ann) Cackler of Ames, Iowa; Robert Leroy (Melva) Cackler of Blue Springs, Missouri; and Susan Diane (Ed) Swinger of Redfield, Iowa; 7 grandchildren: Paul (Olivia) Cackler, Ian (Bridget) Cackler, Roy (Emily) Swinger, Lynn (Jacy) Large, Ben (Jenna) Swinger, Elisa (Carter) Slagell, and Jon (Emily) Cackler; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Ells was preceded in death by his parents, wife Inga, and sister Francis.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 2:30 pm at Panther Creek Church of the Brethren, 24529 J Ave, Adel, Iowa followed by refreshments and fellowship with the family at the church. (A private burial with family will precede the service at 1:00 pm in the East Linn Cemetery near Redfield.)
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Spurgeon Manor Assisted Living in memory of Ells.