Ellery Vollrath

Ellery J. Vollrath, 96, of Danbury passed away at Countryside Acres Assisted Living on November 26, 2018.
Ellery was born on August 3, 1922 in Milltown to August and Cora Vollrath.  He was baptized at Milltown Lutheran Church and graduated from Milltown High School in 1942.  He married Dorothy on August 1, 1947 at the Little Brown Church in Iowa.
Ellery enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1942 as a ground crew mechanic in Texas.  He attended school at North American Factory and attained certification to work on B25, A36 and P51 airplanes.  He attended college through the Air Force Cadets in La Grande, Oregon for 8 months.  He also attended aerial gunnery school in Texas and was assigned crew member on the B24 as flight engineer.  He received training as an engineer gunner for a B24 liberator bomber at Walla Walla, Washington Army Air Base.  He was honorably discharged in 1946 obtaining Sgt in Air Corps rank.
Ellery was a lifetime member of the American Legion.  He was also a member of the Milltown Fire Department for 20 years, assisting with fires and the maintenance of trucks and equipment.  He was employed at Tretsven Auto for 20 years as auto mechanic, attending school on all new GMC products.  In 1963, Ellery accepted the position as a service technician for International Harvester covering Wisconsin and Minnesota area.  He held classes training dealer mechanics on diesel hydraulic electrical engines and other International equipment.  Also, in 1963, Ellery and Dorothy purchased a cabin on Fish Lake for the family to enjoy.
Retiring from International Harvester in 1978, he accepted a position at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds as a shop mechanic where he worked for 6 years.
In 1984, Ellery and Dorothy built a four season home on Fish Lake and moved in to the A&H area in Scott Township in January 1986.  At this time, he joined the Scott Township Volunteer Fire Department as a second responder doing fire inspections and installing fire numbers.
Ellery was preceded in death by his parents, August and Cora; brothers: Lloyd and Edward; sisters: Una and Valeria and son in law Keith.
He is survived by his loving wife Dorothy of 71 years; children: Marc, Meg, Sue and special friend Reida; his grandchildren: Kristen, Alisha and Ben; great grandchildren: Sara, Merek and special adopted grandson, Nick; his sister, Viola; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.  Ellery will always be remembered for his caring nature.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, December 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM (visitation 10-11 AM) at Lakeside Community Lutheran Church with Pastor Bill Schroeder officiating.
Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster.  Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com