John P. Ellis

life story

About John

Age 76 of St Paul, died March 27 2025. Born June 5 1948, Mankato MN. John listened: psychologist by profession; avid birder by love. He recorded 400 species in MN, one of the 25 highest totals ever. A conservationist, he restored his Miltona MN farmland to native hardwood forest, marsh, and prairie. Home was outdoors: he camped, canoed, birded, hunted. He and Suzanne created a pollinator garden in their front yard. He was generous, giving time and assistance to those he loved, and widely to causes.

Preceded in death by parents Paul, Bernice Ellis, and sister Carol Gordon.

Survived by wife Suzanne Swanson; sons Jesse (Anya Illes) and Alexander (Martha Tobin); daughter Anna (Hunter Burk); grandchildren Elijah and Valentina Ellis; brothers Jerry (Sally) and Mike Ellis; sisters Gail Langsjoen, Patty (Steve) Ament, and Mary (Dave) Ellis Hollenhorst; many other family and friends.

memorial service

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services