Dane Ellingson Obituary

Dane Matthew

Ellingson

December 19, 1971

July 18, 2021



Dane Matthew Ellingson died on July 18, 2021 following an unexpected traumatic head injury. He was born at St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Spring on December 19, 1971. He attended Ruth Washburn Nursery School and Steele Elementary School, as well as North Junior and Palmer High School.

Though he was always deeply curious and loved learning, the only thing Dane loved about school was arguing with and debating his teachers. He left public high school, got his GED, and went on to study philosophy at CU Boulder.

Dane enjoyed running, rock climbing, back country skiing, backpacking and just about anything that got him as far away as possible from people and the concerns of the everyday world. For many years after leaving Boulder in the mid-1990s, Dane worked as a carpenter in the high country of Colorado where he could pursue his outdoor passions when he wasn't working.

In 2005, Dane married Mary Lee Geary in Boulder where they lived for several years. They eventually moved to Lafayette, Colorado.

Always interested in the law, Dane eventually became a paralegal and an investigator for the State of Colorado. He went on to work with the United States Attorney General's office where he investigated corporate fraud. He also worked for the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies and had started a private investigations business in recent years.

Dane is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Geary; his stepchildren, Ian and Isabel Phelps, his father, Gary Ellingson; his mother, Martha Barton (nee Nickerson); his older brother, Aaron Ellingson, and Aaron's two sons – Angus and Liam Ellingson.

Dane will be forever loved and remembered as a boisterous spirt, a dogged thinker, a spinner of long yarns, a loyal friend, and the kindest of souls.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dane's name to the American Civil Liberties Union or Safe Place for Pets – 1520 North Hancock Ave. – Colorado Springs, Co 80903 Private celebrations of Dane's life will take place with family and friends in the coming weeks.