Joshua Ellwanger

Funeral services for Joshua Ellwanger were held on June 14, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Joel Davis officiating.

Music was provided by Geoff Smith, soloist, and Bette Fogel, pianist. Loretta Bryan and Sherry Rembold were in charge of registration, and Kassidy Overweg and Macenzie Van Vleet were flower attendants.

Casket bearers were Steve Olsen, Joe Bryan, Al Vigil, Melvin Vosika, Mark Van Dusseldorp, Sam Feyereisen, Bart Svoboda, and Kelly Kerner. Honorary casket bearers were the Class of 2003.

Interment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Joshua Shane Ellwanger passed away unexpectedly on June 8, 2024, at the Platte Health Center Avera in Platte, SD, at the age of 39 years and 24 days.

Joshua Shane Ellwanger (affectionately known as Bob) was born on May 15, 1985, in Burke, SD, to Dwight and Norma (Campbell) Ellwanger. He was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD and was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gregory, SD. Josh was attending services at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Platte, SD. Josh grew up in Gregory and graduated from Gregory High School in 2003. He then attended WyoTech in Laramie, WY. There he obtained his degree in advanced diesel technology.

Upon graduation, Josh began working for Ditch Witch in Tea, SD. He didn’t enjoy living that close to Sioux Falls and decided to move to Mitchell. There he worked for Scott Implement.

Josh ultimately settled with his family in Platte, SD, where he worked for Titan Machinery and later as a technician for Olsen Farms. Josh was involved in his community. He served ten years as a board member for Bright Beginnings, the daycare facility that his children attended. Later he was named President of that board. He was one who was always willing to help.

Josh was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed spending his time fishing and hunting. Josh also had a creative side. He used his skills to repurpose unusable items to create unique functional equipment or would use these items to build something for his family to use.

Josh loved his children, and enjoyed sharing his passion for hunting and fishing with them. Josh had a quick wit but was also soft spoken and patient. He wasn’t one to rush.

He is survived by his wife Linda; daughter Melody Olson (Blake Boltjes); sons Hunter Olson, Elijah and Jacob Ellwanger all of Platte, SD; his parents Dwight and Norma of Gregory, SD; siblings Ryan Ellwanger of Mt. Vernon, SD, and Joni (Chad) Knittel of Freeman, SD; sister-in-law Suzy (Eric) TerMeer of Whitewood, SD; granddaughters Bella and Eva Boltjes of Platte, SD; niece and nephews; many uncles, aunts, cousins and Cooper (his faithful dog).

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Harry and Helen Ellwanger and Wilbur and Irene Campbell; and aunts Sandra Campbell and Mary Ellwanger.