Leslie A. Ellerman

Leslie A. Ellerman, age 86 of Wellington died May 7 at home in his easy chair.

Les was born Jan. 8, 1922 to Albert & Laura (Wallace) Ellerman in Alley Springs, Mo.

His early years were spent in Missouri.

He was drafted during World War II and spent a little over three years defending America including six months in the islands. While on Tinian Island with the 509th Composite Group he helped with the building of an air strip for the big bombers to land on. The Enola Gay took off from this location.

He married Loeta (Asplin) Jan. 25, 1945 in Salem, Ark. They had four children. They moved to Wyoming in 1947, where Les worked in the timber business. In 1962 he moved his family to La Porte where he spent the next 31 years.

He will be fondly remembered for the subtle and not so subtle practical jokes that he played every chance he got. He loved the outdoors. He spent most of his working life in the timber industry and construction.

His first wife Loeta passed away in August 1979. He married Gladys A. (Nauta) Grandt of La Porte, Dec. 4, 1981. They moved to the Waverly area in 1992.

He is survived by his wife Gladys of 26 years, four children; Gary Ellerman (Kathy) of Livermore, Patricia Moritz (Jerry) of Fort Collins, Wendell Ellerman (Kathy) of Palisade and Sandra White (Mike) of La Porte, two stepsons; Greg Grandt of Okla. and Jerry Grandt of Fort Collins, 10 grandchildren, five step-grand children and seven great-grandchildren, and sisters, Charlene Plowman and Maxine Fry of Missouri and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Loeta (Asplin) Ellerman in August 1979, his parents, Albert Ellerman and Laura Ellerman Stevens, and sisters, Nadine Ellerman and Juanita Files of Missouri and step-son, Bert L. Grandt.

Services were held previously.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Colorado Talking Book Library, 180 Sheridan Blvd. Denver, CO 80226 in his memory. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.