Jean Taylor Ellingson

Jean Ellingson, age 95, formerly of Northwood, Iowa, passed away on July 23, 2025, at Sunrise Assisted Living in Broomfield, Colorado.

Jean was born in 1929, daughter of James and RosaBelle Taylor. After graduating from Northwood High School in 1947, Jean attended Grinnell College and graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She received her master’s degree from Mankato State in business education. She taught for two years in Belmond, Iowa and then taught high school business and secretarial practice for 30 years in Manly, Iowa. After retiring, she volunteered for the Senior Health Insurance Program.

In 1950, Jean married William Malcom Carey, from this union, daughters Pam and Kim were born. Jean and Bill divorced in the fall of 1956. In 1958, Jean married Lemoyne Ellingson, and they lived and farmed west of Northwood until Lem passed in 2003. She moved to Colorado to be closer to family in 2006.

Lem had served as a fighter pilot and flight instructor in the Navy and was stationed on Antietam aircraft carrier in the Pacific from 1943 to 1950. In 1967 Lem renewed his pilot’s license and began teaching flying lessons out of the grass strip in Northwood in his Cessna 172’s.

Lem taught Jean to fly, and she joined the 99’s International Association of Women Pilots. In 1976, she and Kitty Hach flew in the Powder Puff Derby, a women’s transcontinental air race from California to New York. Jean and Lem went to numerous 99’s events around the world, and to Naval Reunions as well. They had friends across the USA because of the airplane, allowing them to travel to many places around the world. When the girls were young, the family loved going to Family Camp at Camp Foster on Lake Okoboji, and sailing. Jean and Lem liked dancing at the Surf Ballroom and Bridge Club.

Jean will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of knowing her.

Jean is survived by her children; Kimberly (Melvin) Kotur of Montana, Pamela (Scott) Wallace of Colorado; grandchildren, Dan Kotur of California, Mike (Morgan) Kotur of California, Ted Koerselman of Colorado; and great granddaughter, Ava Clason.

She is preceded in death by her parents, James and RosaBelle Taylor; and her husband, Lemoyne Ellingson.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hoff Celebrations - Sites Memorial Chapel in Northwood, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Camp Foster 1769 260th Ave. Spirit Lake, IA 51360.

Hoff Celebrations – Sites Memorial Chapel of Northwood is assisting the family with arrangements.