Randy “Tully” Ellefson

     Randy “Tully” Ellefson was taken from this world far too soon on September 27, 2023. Tully was born to Richard and Barbara (Aaron) Ellefson on April 30, 1953 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. 

     Tully graduated from Tremper High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 1971. Tully met the love of his life, Elizabeth Brodboll, on Washington Island in June of 1973, and never looked back. Tully and Liz were each other’s soulmates. They finished each other’s sentences, completed each other’s thoughts and loved each other with their whole hearts. 

     Together, they raised their three sons in Kenosha until finally moving back to the Island in 2010, where Tully worked as a captain on the Washington Island Ferry Line until his retirement in September of 2021. He greeted everyone on the ferry as if he’d known them his whole life. Never afraid to strike up a conversation with the passengers, he’d greet them with a little wave of his hand and a twinkle in his blue eyes. 

     Tully was a skilled and extremely talented woodworker, craftsman and builder. He and Liz were so proud of the home they built together in Kenosha. Anyone who was lucky enough to be the recipient of one of his creations knew they had a treasure. Whether it was a cabinet, a vanity, a shadow box, or a beautiful cedar swing, you could sense the time, effort and love he put into every pass with the sander, every nail, every bit of hand-cut, hand-stripped cedar. He put a piece of his heart into every project he did. 

     Tully was a true outdoorsman his entire life. He lived and loved the woods and the water. Some of his most favorite memories were of those fishing with is dad and Uncle Paul, his sons, his grandchildren and his best friend, Ted. His favorite time of the year was fall because it meant hunting season was here. He loved the hunting traditions: playing cards with the guys in Ted’s garage the night before gun season opened. Pushing woods with his hunting group. Sitting in the dark of morning, waiting for the woods to wake up. He loved all the time he was able to spend in the woods with his family and friends. 

     While he was great at a lot of things, he excelled at being a dad and grandpa. The love he had for his three sons and their families was immeasurable. He was put on this earth to be an amazing father, to teach his sons to be amazing fathers, and to be the best “papa” this world will ever know. He was quick with a joke or a corny tune, and equally as quick with a hug and a snuggle. 

     Tully is survived by his loving wife of almost 48 years, Liz: his sons and daughters-in-law, Derrick and Erin, Ted and Kim, and Chad and Alesia; and his five amazing grandchildren, Mackenzie and Teagan, Sammy and Kayla, and Angelina. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. 

     He was welcomed in to the Great Hall of Valhalla by his parents; Liz’s grandmother, Helene Toussaint; his brother Rick; his sister, Gay; and countless other friends and family who went before him. 

     “We’ll miss you forever but we’ll see you in every sunrise, every bright autumn day, every deer in the field, every fish in the lake, every time we smell fresh cut cedar or smoked salmon and chubbs, and in everything we do. We’ll do our best to keep “livin’ the dream” until we see you again. Cooey, Cooey!”

     Please join the family for a celebration of Tully’s life on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm at 1592 Mountain Road, Washington Island, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for donations to be made at a later date.

     Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Sister Bay is assisting the Ellefson family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Tully may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

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