ELLIS, Delbert J.

Delbert J. Ellis, 70 years of age from Minden died on Friday, August 3, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Delbert was born on July 8, 1942 in Byron, MI to Orval and Martha (Larsen) Ellis. The family moved to the Minden area when Delbert was an infant. He attended school in Minden. On June 15, 1963 he married Carol Dahlgren in Atlanta, Nebraska. They made their home in the Minden area. Delbert was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from 1966 until 1969 including a tour in Korea. When Delbert returned from the service, he worked as a land leveler in Holdrege, then farmed for 11 years and then drove a semi-truck until his retirement. He was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minden. Delbert enjoyed working on cars, dancing, playing cards, morning trips to town for coffee, but mostly he loved being around his family. His children and grandchildren were so important to him. Survivors include his wife, Carol of Minden; two sons, Maj. Brian Ellis and his wife, Wendy of Leavenworth, KS and Tony Ellis and his wife, Tammy of Minden; one daughter, Tracy Gibbs and her husband, Cary of Solomon, KS; 11 grandchildren: Senior Airman Jordan Smith, Samantha Ellis, Brianna Ellis, Brianna Hula, Caelee Gibbs, Pvt. Brandon Gibbs, Logan Gibbs, Melissa Myers and her husband, Sgt. Jess Myers, Amanda Melroy, Cheyanne Ellis and Tanner Ellis; his mother, Martha Ellis of Minden; two brothers, Clifton Ellis and his wife, Joyce of Omaha and Dan Ellis and his wife, Donna of Grand Island; one sister, Bertha Meyer and her husband, Raymond of Bertrand; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Orval. Funeral services will be on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minden with Rev. Don Becker officiating. Visitation will be at the Layton-Craig Funeral Home in Minden on Wednesday from 3-5 and 7-8 p.m. A private burial will be Friday at the Minden Cemetery with military honors.