Final Salute

Michael E. “Mike” Ellsworth, 84, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.

A memorial service will be 10:30 am Friday, August 7, 2026, at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Larkin Chapel, 2320 Outer Drive North, with visitation one hour prior. A meal will follow at United Lutheran Church, 315 Hamilton Blvd.

Mike was born August 30, 1941, to Harry E. Ellsworth and Alma Fern Ellsworth Woods in Sioux City, IA. After graduating from Central High School in 1961, he went on to receive an associate’s degree in Engineering Aid at Oklahoma Tech in 1963. He worked for the Woodbury County Conservation.

Mike joined the US Navy as a Seabee in 1965 from which he served in Vietnam. In 1970, he met Darnelle Hefner on a blind date set up by his cousin and wife, Jimmy and Lois Behrens. Three months later, they wed, going on to have three children, Trudy, Holly, and Troy. Mike provided for his family as a Mig welder. He stayed in the military, US Naval reservist, retiring in 1987. Mike was a very proud Vietnam veteran; he loved to tell storis about that time. He was especially passionate in participating in a counseling group at the VA Center for PTSD. Mike could also be found reading books about the Vietnam War and WWII. He was an avid genealogist, researching his and Darnelle’s family history. When not occupied by those activities, Mike was famously known for tinkering around the garage to fix odds and ends. He had an enormous collection of nails, bits, screw, etc. in an army of peanut butter jars; anyone could find something they needed!

Mike is survived by his wife, Darnelle; daughters, Trudy (Dean) Hepp and Holly Smith; son, Troy (Sue) Ellsworth; grandchildren, Rachael, Gabriel, Michael, Tanner, Tyler, Sydney, D.J., and Danielle; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Doug Woods; and sister, Michele Windle. He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Ellsworth; mother, Fern Woods; step-father, Bill Woods; brothers, Ronald McDonald, Gary Woods, Craig Woods; brother-in-law, Jerry Henningfeld.

The family requests that all flowers and notes are sent to the Larkin Chapel. The Ellsworth family also wants to extend a great thank you to Hospice of the Midwest and Cornerstone Caregiving for not only helping Mike in his time of need, but the family as well.