Ben Ellison

Benny Ray Ellison was born on July 6, 1960, to Bernie and Kathleen (Bamford) Ellison in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was raised in Woodbine, attended school and graduated from Woodbine High School with the class of 1978. Ben moved to California and worked in the lettuce fields. He returned to Woodbine and worked at Hedstrom's Concrete and then moved to Texas and worked at a saw mill. In 1986, Ben moved to Topeka, Kansas and worked as the maintenance director for England Mobile Home Park. He also worked for Sauer Dan Foss Inc. with the hydraulic pumps in Lawrence, Kansas for a time. Ben married Brenda (Fouts) Chesmore on August 19, 1987.

Ben loved hunting – especially bear hunting in Canada. He also loved his time at the family cabin in Lakeview, Iowa. Ben was very handy and could fix and/or build anything. He was very creative and for many years he helped his sister, Penny, with the sets for the dance recitals. Ben's favorite pastime was spending time with the kids and grandkids. He would also make knives, paint old football helmets to match the NFL helmets, and he also enjoyed woodworking.

Ben died on Monday, March 5, 2018, at his home in Topeka, Kansas at the age of 57 years, seven months, and 27 days.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Bernie and Kathleen Ellison and an infant sister, Cindy Sue Ellison. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Ellison of Topeka, Kansas; two children, Charlie (Christa) Chesmore and Nicole (Scott) Lutz all of Topeka, Kansas; six grandchildren, Cheyenne, McKayla, Billy, Keely, Layton and Dylan; one brother, Wayne (Patty) Ellison of McClelland, Iowa; one sister, Penny (Roger) Peterson of Woodbine, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.

IA