Wendell Merton “Dusty” Ellsbury 1914-2012

Ruth Catherine Hentschel Ellsbury1920-2011

Wendell Ellsbury died at 97 on June 13, 2012 and Ruth Ellsbury died at 90 on April 16, 2011 at Covenant Shores Retirement Center, Mercer Island. Wendell was born July 8, 1914 on a cattle ranch near Farrall, Wyoming made up of homesteads his grandparents and great uncle filed in the late 1800’s. Wendell worked on the ranch for several years, attended Colorado State U., obtained a B.S. in Forestry in 1941, and married Ruth Hentschel November 6, 1942. Wendell served 1942-5 in the U.S. Army, including the Normandy landing, Battle of the Bulge, and other actions across northern France, Luxembourg, and Germany. The French government appointed him chevalier of the French Legion of Honor for his contributions to the liberation of France. From 1947 to 1973 Wendell worked for the U.S. Forest Service in ten locations across the U.S. He enjoyed woodworking, genealogy, gardening, playing harmonica, and pitching horseshoes. He was much loved for his kindness, wit, patience, and playfulness.Ruth was born April 19, 1920 in Denver, obtained an A.S. degree from Colorado Women ‘s College and was executive secretary to the President of the college, and for two federal agencies in Denver. She enjoyed bridge, sewing, traveling, writing, organizing, and helping others. Wendell and Ruth were active in churches wherever they lived. They traveled extensively in the U.S. and retraced some of Wendell’s steps during the war. They retired to Spearfish, South Dakota in 1980 and lived there until 1999 when they relocated to Mercer Island to be near family.They are survived by daughter Kathleen Ellsbury, MD of Seattle, sons Michael Ellsbury, PhD (Susan) of Fairbury, NE and Richard Ellsbury (Connie) of Roseburg OR; granddaughter, Muña Qamar of New York City; brother Tracy Ellsbury (Margaret) of Sundance, WY; and manyin-laws, nieces, and nephews.Ruth and Wendell will be honored at a future date in Spearfish, South Dakota.

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