Robert Roy Ellis, age 88, of Farmington, MN passed away on July 18, 2013. Bob was born July 7, 1925 in Ryan, Iowa. As a young farm boy, Bob learned the discipline of daily chores and hard work, and the lesson that a man reaps what he sows. At the age of ten, he gave his life to Jesus at Bible camp. Bob was an only child for ten years until his brother, Clair, was born. Bob loved baseball and wanted to be a catcher. When he turned 18, he enlisted in the Army to join the fight to liberate Europe during World War II. In the fox holes of Europe, he dedicated his life to serve the Lord with all his heart. He claimed Psalm 46:10 as his life verse: “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

When the war ended, he went to Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis, MN where he felt a call to become a pastor and met the love of his life, Mildred Linscheid. They were married in 1948, had one beautiful daughter and four lively boys, and went on to pastor six different churches in five states over the next 40 years. When he retired, he spent the next 10 years serving as an interim pastor in eleven churches in seven states. At the age of 75, he became a hospital chaplain for three years in North St. Paul, MN, followed by four years as a school bus aid in Apple Valley and Farmington, MN. During the last few years, he focused his attention on volunteering at his church and caring for the needs of his household.

Bob’s lifelong passion was to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. His ministry and life focus are proclaimed in Psalm 40:8-11, “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O Lord. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me.”

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mildred; one daughter, Judy, of Farmington, MN; and four sons – Steven (Nancy) of Port Barrington, IL , Stanley (Julie) of Mahtomedi, MN, Roger (Cheryl) of Wales, WI and Keith (Kathy) of Farmington, MN; along with 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, July 21, 2013 from 2-4 p.m. at Henry W. Anderson Mortuary in Apple Valley. The funeral service will be Monday, July 22, 2013 at 12:00 noon at South Suburban Free Church in Apple Valley, MN. A private Interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.