James D. Ellison, age 22, of Barron, Wisconsin, died Tuesday, February 5, 2002, in Hudson, Wisconsin. James was born on October 22, 1979, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Carsten and Sally (Larson) Ellison. He grew up in rural Barron and was a 1998 graduate of Barron High School.

While growing up in Barron, James participated in the school band, was president of the Future Business Leaders of America, was a member of the golf team, and was active in 4-H and church activities. After graduating from Barron High School he attended UW-River Falls for two years and then the University of Minnesota, and would have graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science in May.

James was a person who always wanted to help those in need; he was always there to be a good friend. With his caring nature, he had a hard time saying “no” to people; he felt like he would let them down.

When deciding to become a mortician, James said, “I’m so proud that I can help people at the worst time in their life.” While he attended UW-RF, Ellison cleaned house for the James and Ila June Pratt family and became a mentor for the Pratts’ sons.

Ellison’s favorite sport was golf which he did with them. He also went rollerblading and bowling with the boys. James also worked at Cellular One in River Falls.

He worked 20-25 hours a week and his co-workers considered him a pleasure to work with. It was noted that a few times, he made a full-time sales quota, even though he only worked part time. James was always trying to make things easier for people.

He was personable and friendly; he left you with the feeling there was no task that was impossible for him to do. He had a full array of qualities to be successful in the field of Mortuary Science.

He was careful, organized, and meticulous with the science aspect, and in terms of dealing with people, he had a manner that gave you a feeling of confidence and comfort.

He had served as an apprentice funeral director in 2000 for the Rausch-Rockman Funeral Home in Barron and was presently employed with the O’Connell Family Funeral Home at Hudson.

He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Barron. In honor of James, his parents have established an annual scholarship for students of the Mortuary Science Program at the University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota will also graduate James posthumously with his class, this spring.

Surviving are his parents, Carsten and Sally Ellison of Barron; one brother, Jordan Ellison of Barron; one sister, Julia (Greg) Loiselle of Cottage Grove, Minn.; grandparents, Arnold (Gladys) Ellison of Barron; grandmother, Violet Larson of Fridley, Minnesota; and a special friend, Jamie Pearson of Albany, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Edna Ellison, and his grandfather, Myles Larson. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 11, at 11 a.m. at the Barron Area Community Center, Rev. Bruce Beyer officiating with burial at Wayside Cemetery in Barron.

Visitation was held at the Rausch-Rockman Funeral Chapel in Barron on Sunday, February 10th, 2002 from 4-8 p.m. and for one hour prior to services at the Barron Area Community Center on Monday, February 11th.