Gary Campbell Ellis

Gary Campbell Ellis, age 82, of Ham Lake, Minnesota, passed away on December 16, 2025. He was born April 14, 1943, in Mankato, Minnesota, to Campbell and Mildred (Nienow) Ellis.

Gary grew up in Mapleton and graduated from Mapleton High School in 1961. He later earned a degree in Mechanical Drafting from Chicago Vocational School, launching a long and meaningful career as an engineer. Over the years, he worked at the Arsenal, Waldorf, AP Engineering, and 3M, among others. One of his proudest professional contributions was his involvement in the development of the Post-it® Note at 3M—work that reflected his precision and dedication.

In 1969, Gary met Sharon Hasselquist while they were both working at the Arsenal. They got engaged after just six weeks and were married on August 8, 1970. Together, they built a life rooted in family, welcoming two sons, Jeff and Greg, over the next five years.

Gary and Sharon lived in Roseville before building their first home in Forest Lake, then settled in Spring Lake Park, where Jeff and Greg grew up and graduated from high school. After retiring, Gary and Sharon moved to Ham Lake. During the boys’ childhoods, weekends were often spent at the family’s lake place on Mille Lacs, and summers included memorable road trips to places like Yellowstone, Glacier, and Rocky Mountain National Parks.

Spending time with his sons was of utmost importance. When they were school-aged, Gary coached the boys in baseball and basketball and was active in the Spring Lake Park Back Court Club. When Jeff and Greg became adults, Gary enjoyed meeting them for a meal or a movie, helping them move belongings with his truck, and doing whatever he could to simply spend time with them. His sons were his pride and joy.

Retirement gave Gary and Sharon time to travel together. Most memorable were their trip to the Holy Land and their trips to Alaska with friends. Each winter, they spent two months in Port Aransas, Texas, with a group of friends affectionately known as the “Winter Texans”. Summers were anchored by an annual week at Wishbone Resort, where the entire family gathered to fish, tube, swim, play games, and roast s’mores—traditions that became treasured memories.

Anyone who knew Gary knew of his love for fishing. His favorite fish to catch were walleye, but he was an avid fisherman regardless of species. He took pride in his boats and found deep joy in combining fishing with faith after retirement by volunteering with Fishers of Men and supporting Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge. Gary used his time wetting a line to share the good news of Jesus with the lucky people he invited onto his boat.

Gary and Sharon were longtime members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fridley. Gary served on several boards, led the Men’s Bible Study, and coordinated annual fishing trips to KaBeeLo Lodge in Canada.

Above all else, Gary cherished his grandchildren. He attended countless musical, athletic, and academic activities, always with the biggest smile and unmistakable pride. When speaking of them, he never missed a chance to say what a proud grandpa he was.

Grateful for having shared in Gary’s life are his wife, Sharon Ellis; sons, Jeff (Katie) Ellis and Greg (Kari) Ellis; grandchildren, Cece (Annie Wier) Ellis, Ben Ellis, Max Ellis, and Libby Ellis; sister, Jane (Dave) Schultz; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Campbell and Mildred Ellis; his sister, Melvina Ramirez; and his first wife, Judy Hawker.

A memorial visitation will be held from 4:00–7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Miller Funeral Home in Fridley. A memorial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fridley, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, Redeemer Foundation, Fridley Redeemer Lutheran Church, or a foundation of your choice.

To all who loved him, Gary would simply say, “Bye for now.” As followers of Jesus, we hold those words especially dear, knowing God’s promise and the hope of the resurrection assure us that we will one day see him again.