DENNIS ANDREW ELLESTAD

The funeral service for Dennis Ellestad was held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2024 at First Lutheran Church in Britton. Jack Erickson officiated the service. Burial was at the Britton Cemetery under the direction of Olson Funeral Chapel.

Dennis Andrew Ellestad was born February 2, 1941, to Ethel (Keen) Ellestad and Tyrell K Ellestad, in Britton, SD, where he was raised on the Ellestad family farm. He was baptized and confirmed in the First Lutheran Church. Dennis graduated from Pleasant Valley No. 1 country school, in 1955. Dennis graduated from Britton High School in 1959. He then earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education, from Northern State College, Aberdeen, SD. In 1974, Dennis earned his Master of Arts Degree in Education, from the Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ.

Dennis Ellestad taught Special Education at Brinley, Gibson and Garside Middle Schools, in the Clark County Public School District for 29 years. He also wrote the Retirement Program for the Clark County Public School District. Mr. Ellestad was a State Delegate for the Retired Public Employees of Nevada and received special recognition awards in appreciation for his dedication to RPEN, and for his ambitious recruitment of new members.

Dennis Ellestad also carried a Nevada Realtors license for 38 years and was awarded Sales Leader of the Month and received awards for the “Most sales through multiple listing service for September 1983”.

Dennis was known for his quick wit, great sense of humor, loyalty, honesty, dependability, generosity, kindness, compassion, integrity, and his great contributions in the field of education. He maintained life-long friendships and enjoyed getting together with his many friends, especially when returning to his hometown. He also enjoyed organizing the BHS 1959 class reunions.

Dennis passed away Thursday, September 19, 2024 at his home in Las Vegas at the age of 83.

Survivors include Dennis’s brother and his wife and their family, Tyrell and Mary Ellestad, Andover, MN; Dennis’s sisters: DeAnna Ellestad, Rapid City, S D, and Shelly Ellestad Swanson, Henderson, NV; and many nieces and nephews.

Dennis was predeceased by his parents, Ethel and TK Ellestad; his sister, Twyla and her husband, Jack Niesen; and nephew, Kirk Niesen.

2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” An online guestbook and obituary are available at www. olsonfuneralchapel.com

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Poll: REGIONS FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE? A legislative task force is considering a plan to organize South Dakota’s ambulance services into eight to 14 regions, potentially with state oversight and funding to help keep emergency medical services sustainable. The proposal comes as many ambulance services face financial challenges, low reimbursement rates and an aging, often volunteer workforce. Lawmakers say the goal is to ensure an ambulance can respond when someone calls 911, but establishing the regions and determining how they would be funded could take years. Do you support creating regional ambulance service systems with state oversight and potential state funding?

Yes, regional systems could help ensure reliable ambulance service.

No, ambulance services should remain organized locally.

Unsure. I would need more information about how it would work.

10/27/2026 – 11/27/2100