ViLois LeAnna (Nordell) Ellerbusch

ViLois L. Ellerbusch, age 89, of Holstein, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at the Mercy Medical Center of Sioux City following an accidental fall.  A funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 02, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Holstein with the Rev. Bob Lewis officiating.  Burial will be at the Holstein Cemetery of Holstein.  A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 01, 2018 from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein. 

ViLois was born on January 27, 1929 on a farm near Kiron, IA, the daughter of Orris and Ethel (Bergin) Nordell.  The family moved to Ida Grove in 1942.  She graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1946.  On November 30, 1947, ViLois was united in marriage to Lester Ellerbusch at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove.  To this union three children were born: Dan, Lynette, and Donald.  The couple farmed around the Holstein area their entire lives.  In 2002, they moved to town in Holstein, where she lived at the time of her death.

At the age of 12, she began playing for several dance bands in the area.  Her parents transported her to and from dances, chaperoning, and often driving her home on gravel roads late in the evenings.  ViLois’ love of music continued to bless many throughout her life.  She often sang at weddings, funerals, and most joyfully, with her family around the piano. 

ViLois lovingly baked countless birthday, wedding, anniversary, confirmation and graduation cakes for friends and family.  She often gifted friends with a surprise Swedish Pastry or a jar of her homemade jam.  She cherished her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all of her family and friends.  Her extravagant love, joy, gratitude, and love for Jesus impacted all in her path. Mom, Grandma Busch, and Aunt Vi was our ROCK, and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her son, Dan, of Holstein (and special friend, Anita Strawn, of Sioux City); daughter, Lynette (and Tom) Gilligan of Eagle, Nebraska; and son, Don (and Kellie) Ellerbusch of Ashland, Nebraska.  Grandchildren are (Dan’s) Chad (and Lisa) Ellerbusch of Grimes, IA; Jason (and special friend, Jessica Farenkamp) and Bryan Ellerbusch, all of Minneapolis, MN.  (Lynette’s) Hans (and Angel) Erickson of Quilcene, WA; and Cara Erickson (and special friend, Trevor Allen) of Portland, OR.   (Don’s) Daschel Ellerbusch of Ashland, NE.  Great-grandchildren are (Chad’s) Jarrod and Ashlyn Ellerbusch; and (Hans’) Kailey, Roxi, and Ava Erickson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and grandson, Darren Ellerbusch.

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