Darrel Ellefson

Darrel Elwood Ellefson died Friday, May 8, 2026, at the Madison Care Center at the age of 85.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in the chapel at the Madison Care Center at 10:30 AM with Pastor Roy Noel officiating and burial at Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Dawson.

Darrel Elwood Ellefson was born January 13, 1941, in Dawson, MN, the son of Arnold and Ethel (Larson) Ellefson. He was baptized and later confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church. Darrel attended Dawson High School. He was united in marriage with Linda Waterman on October 28, 1960, to which 5 children were born. Darrel worked for Larson Tiling for 30+ years and then for Lac qui Parle County as the Lac qui Parle Watershed Manager, Environmental Officer and several other titles for 27 years up until his retirement. He was instrumental in the development of Del Clark Reservoir in Canby. Darrel was an inventor and loved woodworking, hand crafting and gardening. His wife and children were what he lived for. He will forever be remembered for his sense of humor and the ability to calm any type of storm into a soft wave. If you left Darrel with a handshake, he was your friend for life.

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

He is survived by his wife, Linda;  four children: Shayna Duffaut of Dawson, Dawn Maiers of Dawson, Jason (Theresa) Ellefson of Webster WI, and Corbin Ellefson of Alexandria; ten grandchildren: Jordan Bornhorst, Matthew Bornhorst, Brianna Maiers, Morgan Walvatne, Kaiden Ellefson, Kyrstin (Matt Salonek) Ellefson of Marshall, Jesse (Alexa) Snyder, Sara (Aaron) Newes, Jacob (Taylor) Ellefson, and Nicholas Ellefson; ten great-grandchildren: Emma, Haisley, Judah, Josie, Bristol, Kaydence, Lexie, Kylee, Logan, and Isla; three brothers: Walt (Dawn) Ellefson of Minneapolis, Merlin Ellefson of Dawson, and Kenneth (Linda) Ellefson of Dawson; sister's in law; Janice (Charles) Johnson, Mona (Frank) Chan, Mary Hulleman, Sandy Ellefson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents Arnold and Ethel Ellefson; father and mother-in-law, Merlin and Alberta Waterman; a son, Kevin; a brother, Roger (Ardis) Ellefson; Virgil Ellefson; a sister-in-law, Jane Ellefson; 4 brother's in law; Randy Waterman, Marvin Waterman, Rollin Waterman, Mel Hulleman, and nieces and nephews.