Obituary of Dwight Ellsworth

Dwight Chadwick Ellsworth 92, died Friday May 9, 2008 in the Palliative Care unit at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa, following a brief illness. He was born November 24, 1915 son of O. R. and Emily (Chadwick) Ellsworth at Britton, South Dakota. He grew up in Aberdeen, South Dakota, graduating from Aberdeen High School in 1934. He trained as a watchmaker at the Chicago School of Watchmaking and followed that profession until his retirement. He was a technical genius. While still in high school, he built numerous radios, created a two-person “Ferris wheel” for his sisters, constructed a model of the Globe Theater from match sticks for a Shakespeare unit in his high school English class, and crafted a table-sized working replica of a steam-engine tractor – a feat he duplicated in the 1970’s, creating a life-size version which has been donated to the Hot Springs, SD Pioneer Historical Museum. Through the years, he purchased, refurbished, and sold a number of vintage cars from the 1920’s and 30’s. In the late 1940’s he built a new home for himself and his parents in Aberdeen, then, in the 50’s built cabins for them in the Black Hills, tucked in a ravine called Reno Gulch. He also operated Ellsworth Jewelry in Rapid City for several years. When he moved to Hot Springs in the 70’s, he began to spend winters in Arkansas. He lived in Mountain View until 1995, when he moved to his current location in Bradford. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Duane (in infancy), and sisters Joyce Ellsworth, Claire Ellsworth, Dorothy (Mrs. Elmer) Nolte, and Mary Zoe (Mrs. David J.) Nolte. He is survived by his nephews David M. (Mari) Nolte of Packwood, IA, C. Ted Nolte of Des Moines, IA, a niece Anne M. Nolte of Independence, IA, a grand-nephew Ben (Jacqueline) Nolte of Albuquerque, NM, a grand-niece Christen M. Nolte of Iowa City, IA, a good friend of 47 years, Bob Mayer (Sharon) of Rapid City, SD, and good friend and care-giver Paulette (Mrs. Richard) Gilmore of Bradford, AR. Graveside services will be held by Reverend Bob Evans of First Presbyteriann Church of Rapid City, SD at the Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City at 2pm on Wednesday, May 14, 2008. Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City, Iowa is caring for Dwight’s services, online condolences maybe sent through the web @gayandciha.com.