Jay R. Ellston

Jay R. Ellston, 92, of St. Libory, died Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Peters Funeral Home in St. Paul. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul, with graveside military honors by Carl Mogensen American Legion Post 119 of St. Paul. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Ellston was born on July 4, 1923, on the family ranch, on Ponca Creek, south of Herrick, South Dakota, the son of Jay H. and Fanny (Hill) Ellston. He was united in marriage to Darlene I. McKenzie on June 19, 1948, at Naper. She preceded him in death on Dec. 23, 2007. He is survived by two daughters, Sharon Ellston of St. Libory and Jan Ellston of Grand Island; one son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Connie Ellston of Humboldt; and one sister-in-law, Neomi Schepp of Cheyenne, WY. He also leaves to cherish his memory, four grandchildren, Shane Ellston of Grand Island, Ryan and Melissa Ellston of Grand Island, Jessica Goodman of Grand Island and Cole and Chelley Ellston of Humboldt; and four great-grandchildren, Lilly Ellston, Jamie Goodman, Ryan Goodman and Mason Ellston. Jay grew up near Herrick, where he graduated from Herrick High School and then ranched with his father. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the United States Navy from Jan. 1942 until his discharge in Dec. 1945. After serving his country, he once again returned to Herrick to farm and ranch. After he and Darlene were married they first lived in Denver where he attended college. The couple lived in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska, as Jay worked for the Bureau of Reclamation until his retirement in July 1987. The couple had lived in St. Libory since 1972. After Darlene's passing, he continued to live in his home in St. Libory. He enjoyed helping his daughter, Jan in her Indian Taco Stand and his daily coffee and visits with his friends at the Pump & Pantry in St. Libory. Jay was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Grand Island and the Carl Mogensen American Legion Post 119 of St. Paul. He enjoyed playing horseshoes, watching his grandchildren's activities and Husker Volleyball and he loved baseball, playing as a young man and watching the sport as he grew older. In addition to his wife, Darlene, he was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Amie Jai Ellston; sister and brother-in-law, Percilla and Floyd Nelson; and beloved special cousin, Godfrey Brokenrope. Memorials are suggested to the Genoa Indian School Foundation in Genoa, NE or to the Carl Mogensen American Legion Club Building Fund in St. Paul.