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Fred Ellsmore Obituary
Fred was born to Albert and Dorothy (Sheldon) Ellsmore on January 12, 1943 in Erie, PA. From an early age Fred was fascinated with the printing business and ran a small business out of the family basement while attending Erie Tech. He graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in printing management and received an MBA from Lincoln University. He was plant manager of Von Hoffman Press in Jefferson City for 20 years, and Tidewater Publishing in West Branch, IA for 22 years after moving to Iowa City in 1983. Fred married Judy on June 1st, 1979 in Jefferson City, MO.
He enjoyed Cardinal baseball, finding bargains at Sharpless Auctions, hunting, fishing, playing golf, and spending the winters in South Padre Island, Texas. His greatest joy was spending time with his family.
Fred is survived by his wife Judy, and his six children: Kim Ellsmore, Susan Bielefeldt, Kristy (Mark) Smith, Brian (Crystal) Reid, Jay (Liz) Ellsmore, and Betsy Ellsmore (Vergel Barlow), 15 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Fred is also survived by his sisters, Birdy Ellsmore (Sam Johnson) and Beverly Johnson, and nephew Guy Johnson.
There will be a private family gathering and no services will be held. We invite you to make a donation to the .
Online condolences may be left at lensingfuneral.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Fred, please visit our floral store.
605 Kirkwood Avenue P.O. Box 167, Iowa City, IA 52240
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2 Entries
Mark Fiagle
February 1, 2024
My most vivid memory with Fred (and Jay,) was surviving the Boy Scout training hike for Isle Royale at Yellow River in the spring/summer of 1998. We were warned there was a tornado watch in the area, but if course we stayed anyway. Hot and humid! After dark, we went to bed in our tent, set up below a hill. Halfway through the night we heard wind coming down the hill. It hit, and the tent started shaking - we grabbed the poles behind our heads and hung on! Later on, I felt Fred tapping me on the back. "Mark, we´re taking on water!" We unzipped the fly and rain water rushed in, totally soaking us and our gear. We were rescued by a ranger around 3:00 A.M. The entrance road had been washed out in 3 places!. Not my favorite state park, but I´ll never forget the experience - I really enjoyed knowing Fred!
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Randy and Vicky Giboney
January 30, 2024
Judy and family, Randy and I send our heartfelt condolences to you in the passing of Fred. May God grant you strength and comfort in the days and weeks ahead.
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