Arthur “David” Ellenz
Feb. 8, 1938 – April 24, 2024
TIPTON – Arthur David Ellenz, 86, passed away on April 24, 2024 at Salina Regional Medical Center. He had suffered a short illness and passed quickly surrounded by his family.
David was born on February 8, 1938, the third of six children to Aaron and Marie (Gasper) Ellenz at their Tipton Kansas farm. His early years were spent working on the farm with his four brothers and sister, frequently helping the extended Ellenz and Gasper families as was customary in the rural community. He had a talent for construction and carpentry and worked frequently with his Uncle Anton Gasper and on several road construction projects during his early years. He graduated from Tipton High School in 1956.
David worked at Home Lumber and Boeing Tool and Die on B52’s following high school along with a group of recent Tipton graduates. He was inducted into the Army in 1958 as part of the Berlin crisis build-ups, and again in 1961 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following military service, he returned to Tipton and worked in home construction and carpentry with Anton Gasper and later with Wayne Fischer at Tipton Enterprises.
David and Carolyn Becker were married on September 11, 1965 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Tipton. The couple had two children John David (1966) and Sandra Kay (1967) with the family living just south of Tipton. They founded Ellenz Cabinet and Supply in 1969 and provided cabinets, carpentry, and home building, which evolved into floorcovering, and draperies. The business was renamed in the 80’s to Ellenz of Tipton and served the North Central Kansas area for more than 30 years.
David and Carolyn had a love of the Colorado mountains and began building a home there in 1980 when time and resources were available. Dave served on many project committees in this small startup rural LaVeta CO mountain community and developed many new friendships over the years at his part-time second home.
David retired from the couple’s business in 2000 and was able to spend more time in Colorado, as well as taking on some home building and renovation projects for Tipton High School and the community. He was committed to Tipton, and he served in various capacities on the Church Committee, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus. He was very involved in managing the Tipton Memorial Trust and TCHS Endowment Fund investments for more than 20 Years.
He and Carolyn were founding members of the Tipton Heritage Museum and worked for several years to restore the limestone Arnoldy Brothers Store, the oldest surviving structure in Tipton, located on Main Street to house the museum. He also collected and restored numerous exhibits for the museum. In later life, he crafted smaller items, including wooden scale models and bowls. Hobbies also included western-US history, books, dowsing, and investing.
David is survived by his wife Carolyn Ann Ellenz (Becker), son John David Ellenz and wife Elaine (Neises), their children Aaron, Ryan and Lauren; daughter Sandra Kay Wilds (Ellenz) and husband Alan Edward Wilds, their children Alexis, Katerina and Devin; brother Eugene Ellenz and wife Caroline (Steichen); brother Ron Ellenz and wife Joan (Carrico); brother Larry Ellenz and wife Velma (Charlet); and sister Marilyn Ellenz. He is preceded in death by his parents Aaron John Ellenz (1989) and Marie Cecilia Ellenz (Gasper) (1979) and brother Charles Leroy Ellenz (1962).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am Saturday May 11 at St. Boniface Catholic church in Tipton Kansas. Vigil service will be held at 7pm Friday May 10 at the church. Interment will follow services at St. Boniface Cemetery in Tipton. Memorials may be given to the Tipton Memorial Trust, TCHS Endowment Fund or Tipton Community Foundation. Roberts Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsfamilyfs.com