Richard Lynn "Sammy" Ellis, the son of L. Richard and Vivian (Porter) Ellis was born March 25, 1950 at Red Oak, Iowa. He passed away on Friday, March 16, 2018 at his home in Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 67 years, 11 months and 21 days.

Lynn was raised in Red Oak, where he graduated in 1968 from Red Oak High School. While in high school, Lynn participated in football, cross country, basketball, baseball and his favorite, track, of which he was a standout runner. Lynn attended Iowa Western Community College and Tarkio College, where he ran track. Lynn was a "people person" so retail and sales was a great career choice for him. After college, Lynn worked for Jeans West in Lincoln, NE, followed by The Cellar in Red Oak, Farner Bocken Company and Houghton State Bank. On October 27, 1979, Lynn was united in marriage to Kim S. Olson in Red Oak, IA and to this union their daughters, Amy and Shayna were born. For 8 years, they made Chicago, IL their home where Lynn was a regional manager for Edison Brothers Apparel. In 1989, they moved to Red Oak when he went to work for Red Oak Greenhouses, Oakview Construction, JII and Phoenix Promotional, before moving to Denison, IA and working for Something Unique. After returning to Red Oak, Lynn began working for Agri Solutions, Red Oak Concepts/Promotional Concepts and then in 2005, started his own company that continues today, Acorn Clothing & Embroidery. Lynn also loved volunteering in his community. He served on the Good Samaritan Society Advisory board for many years, Nishna Productions board for 12 years, and timed track meets for Red Oak High School for 30 years, of which his last 10 years was head timer. Lynn was a past member of the Red Oak Chamber of Commerce, serving on their Downtown Retail committee, the Elks Lodge, and Ducks Unlimited. He was currently a faithful member and an elder of Crossroads Community Church of Red Oak. Lynn enjoyed hunting and mostly, spending time with his family.

Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, Richard "Dick" and Vivian and mother-in-law, Carolyn Olson.

Lynn is survived by his wife, Kim Ellis of Red Oak, IA; daughters: Amy Schafer and husband Dan of Morton Mills, IA and Shayna Ellis of Red Oak, IA; two grandchildren: Brodie and Addison Lynn Schafer; father-in-law, Howard Olson of Red Oak, IA; sister-in-law, Karla Wood and husband Jim of Red Oak, IA; and brother-in-law, Mark Olson of Westminster, CA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Celebration of Life Service will be held

Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.

At Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Red Oak

Rev. Ricky Rohrig, Sr., Officiating

Visitation with the family will be held Friday, March 23, 2018 at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to the Lynn Ellis Memorial Fund.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.