Obituary of Theodore J. Ellestad

Theodore J. ELLESTAD, 93, of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 27, 2011. Ted was born in Madison, Wisconsin on September 12, 1918, the son of Theodore and Amy (Elver) Ellestad. After graduating from Madison East High School, he worked at the Gisholt Machine Company until joining the Army Air Corps where he served from 1942-1945. On July 14, 1945, he married Dorothy Norgord in Madison, Wisconsin. Ted worked for Schweiger Industries in Jefferson for more than 30 years, retiring in 1980. In addition to being devoted to his family, Ted was actively invovled at Faith Community Church, serving in leadership positions and volunteering with the AWANA program. The children of the church knew him as the usher with M&Ms in his pcokets. In the community he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. Ted will be remembered for his ablility to fix almost anything. Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Dorothy; daughter Sally (David) Ivaska of Evanston, IL; son: T. Jon (Kelly) Ellestad, Lexington, VA, grandchildren Andy, Peter, JJ (Courtney), and James Ivaska, and Clay (Wendy), Kurt, Ricky, Paige, and Julia Ellestad; great-grandchildren: Zadie and Harper Ivaska, and Lilianna, Evan, and Sage Ellestad. Ted was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Elver and Arthur. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at 11:00AM at Faith Community Church, Fort Atkinson, preceded by vistiation from 10:00. Pastor Don Christianson will officiate and lunch will be served following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Faith Community Church, Habitat for Humanity, or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. The Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson is assisting the family