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Richard D. Elleson
1934 - 2026
BORN
1934
DIED
2026
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Richard Elleson Obituary
July 28, 1934 - February 28, 2026
Richard Donald Elleson passed away peacefully in his sleep February 28, 2026, in Sebring, Fla., at the age of 91.
He was born July 28, 1934, to Gilbert (Ben) and Alma (Riveland) Elleson in Ossian, Iowa. He grew up on the Riveland family farm before moving to Waukon. Around the age of 10, his family moved to Davenport. Richard enrolled in the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed mainly at Camp Pendleton, San Diego, Calif., where he loved to drive a truck around base.
After the Korean War, he returned to Davenport where he met and married Patricia Mattusch. They worked together at the Bon Ton Bakery where they learned the trade. They had seven children together, all raised in the bakery. In 1960, Patricia and Richard ventured out and became owners of their first bakery in Monmouth, Ill. They owned several bakeries in Iowa and Illinois and were very hard workers.
Richard later married Marlene Reeder. Together they owned a bakery in Ottawa, Illinois before moving to Florida. They lived in Florida for over 30 years together, mainly in Sebring. He enjoyed retirement in Florida, while playing shuffleboard, swimming in the community pool, and taking his daily country drives.
He dearly loved his seven children and had a saying, "if all his children were drowning in the middle of a pond he wouldn't know which one to save."
In his later years, Richard became a strong Christian. He loved watching different tv preachers with his favorite being Les Feldick. He always talked about the Lord and loved the movie and song "I Can Only Imagine".
Richard was preceded in death by his parents: Ben and Alma; his siblings: Vernon, Gordon, Goldie, Audrey, Margaret; Patricia Elleson; Marlene Reeder; his daughter: Marilyn Choate. He is survived by his six children: Cindy Hayse, Ken Elleson, Steve Elleson, John Elleson, Bob Elleson, Dan Elleson. Richard has 29 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.
He will have a memorial stone next to his parents in Ossian, Iowa.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live". John 11:25
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Staff of Fountain Funeral Home
March 3, 2026
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