Nancy Ellingson

Technical Sergeant Nancy Jean Ellingson, USAF Retired, died peacefully at her home in Sun City, AZ March 25, 2013. Jean, as she was known to her friends, was born in Hoquiam, WA November 11, 1931 to Harold and Nancy Marie Ellingson. Jean grew up on her family's ranch where she learned to ride and love horses. She graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1949 and worked as a cook at a nearby lumberjack camp before joining the U.S. Air Force in December 1951. Jean served honorably, retiring April 1, 1973. She was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars and Cuban Missile Crisis. Among her military awards are the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon. Assigned to various stateside and overseas bases, she became proficient in several career fields including Air Police K-9 handler, Training Instructor (to basic trainees) at Lackland AFB and Personnel Management, and culminated her career as a First Sergeant. The highlight of her military service was an overseas assignment at Ramstein AB, Germany. She loved sports and played catcher for the WAF (Women in the Air Force) Squadron softball team and guard with the WAF basketball team. Known as "Sgt E" to many of her troops, she perpetrated hilarious, playful pranks both on and off duty. While stationed at March AFB, she commuted to a part-time job at a popular date farm and gift shop near Palm Springs, CA. Jean was a charter member of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington, DC, American Legion Post #426, Yucaipa, CA and Elks #2389, also in Yucaipa. She spent many happy retirement years in the City of Yucaipa before settling in Arizona. She had a wonderful way of telling delightful stories as she shared her memories with others. Jean never met a stranger. She could walk into a room full of people and immediately become the life of the party. She looked forward to attending the WAF Association annual reunions. Jean was preceded in death by her parents and other family members, and her dear friend Panorea Collis. Sgt E has now reported to the ultimate duty station. She will be dearly missed by those who knew her--especially her WAF sisters. She requested there be no memorial service.