Chloris Lucille Ellingson

Memorial services for Chloris L. Ellingson, age 99, will be held at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory, 8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale, Iowa 50322, on Friday, May 15, 2026. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., with the service to follow at 2:00 p.m. Private placement of the cremains will take place at a later date. Chloris died on Monday, April 20, 2026.

Chloris was born September 9, 1926, in Lehigh, Iowa, the daughter of Charles Claude Johnson and Juanita Lucille (Butcher) Johnson. The family moved to rural Centerville, Iowa, where Chloris spent her childhood and young adulthood during the Great Depression. Transportation consisted of a wagon and two mules, with no running water or electricity. She attended a one-room schoolhouse from first through eighth grade. She occasionally helped the family dog bring in the cows for milking and milked alongside her father; held school for cats on the side porch; read children's classics; played cowboys and Indians with her brother, Charles, and friends; played with paper characters from the Montgomery Ward catalog; enjoyed family swims on hot summer nights in the Chariton River; traveled to and from school by Shetland pony; and carried out many other farm-kid responsibilities. In her words, "We were permitted to be children, roaming freely across 80 acres of pasture with only modest supervision, in harmony with nature."

After graduating from North High School in June 1944, she worked as a secretary for the Iowa Mortgage Company. She was a member of the Theta Sigma Phi business sorority and cherished the many luncheons shared over the years.

Chloris knew Richard D. Ellingson through their shared neighborhood, high school, and church activities at University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Richard and Chloris had their first date while he was home on leave from the U.S. Navy, and they continued dating after he was discharged. They were married on September 1, 1949. Richard graduated from Drake Law School in June 1951, and soon after, they welcomed their first son, beginning a family that would eventually include four boys. Chloris' family was the fulfillment of her dreams. She later said she was wholly absorbed in their lives, loving each moment and living with a "joy of being."

The family moved to San Jose, California, on January 2, 1958, where Richard served as manager of the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company agency. During their 12 years there, Chloris experienced a life she had not previously known-agency activities, gourmet clubs, potluck bridge, church activities, theater performances, gardening, and reading. The family moved back to Des Moines in September 1969. Chloris became involved in bookkeeping-personally, for Richard's insurance agency and for their apartment business-and their active social life continued. Chloris was initiated into P.E.O. Chapter GY, where she was active and appreciative of her dedicated and loving sisters. Eventually, their church membership transferred to Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, where Chloris enjoyed great academic ministers, a superb chancel choir and organ, meaningful worship, engaging programs and activities, and a loving, caring congregation.

Chloris was a kind, positive, warm-hearted person, which made her a joy to visit with. She loved socializing with new and old friends and especially enjoyed hosting and attending family gatherings. She will be deeply missed, and she left a wonderful example of a life well lived.

Chloris was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Juanita Johnson; her husband, Richard D. Ellingson; her brother, Charles (Chuck) C. Johnson Jr.; and her son, Lee E. Ellingson.

Survivors include three sons, Larry Duane (Sue) Ellingson of Iowa City; Kevin Charles Ellingson of Waukee; and Kyle Richard (Lori) Ellingson of West Des Moines; a daughter-in-law, Chele Ellingson of Omaha; and grandchildren, Brandi (David) Nicholson; Michelle (Chad) LeRiger; Jackie (Israel) Chavez; Daniel (Leslie) Ellingson; Tiffany (Austin) Matney; Timothy (Tara) Ellingson; Emily (Nathan) Jackson; Austin Ellingson; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Later in life, Chloris enjoyed living at The Abordale / The Reserve Independent Retirement Community in Urbandale for 17 years. During the last year of her life, she received exceptional care at Cedar Ridge Village Assisted Living Facility in West Des Moines. The family extends its sincere gratitude to Hospice of the Midwest for the compassionate care provided during her final weeks.