Ellis John Rosdahl, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on August 5, 2022 after a short battle with cancer at the age of 82. Dad has joined the love of his life, Pearl Rosdahl, in Heaven. Mom meant everything to dad and he missed her so much after she passed in 2006.

Dad was born on April 5, 1940 in Central, Idaho. Dad was asked where Central, Idaho was, because we had never heard of the city. He said it wasn’t a city; it was just in Central Idaho. Dad attended schools in Nampa, Idaho.

At 17 years old Dad joined the Navy in 1957. Humorously, he would never disclose how he joined at 17 years old. He was on the USS Joyce and USS Larsen. He was a Sonarman and the ships were assigned to the area between Russia and Alaska to chase off the Russian subs. Dad was honorably discharged from the Navy as a Petty Officer 2nd Class and remained a reserve for the Navy until the 1970’s.

Dad and mom knew each other as kids in Idaho. He reconnected with mom in Oregon, and proposed to her after only one date. They were married to each other on July 22, 1961. They soon moved to Humboldt County and raised their four children in Loleta and Fortuna.

In the 1960s, dad worked for the Jacobsen dairy on Cock Robin Island, and the Christensen dairy in Loleta. In the 1970s Dad started working for Fortuna Ambulance and eventually purchased and ran the ambulance for 10 years. Dad was an excellent EMT I/II and even taught the EMT classes at College of Redwoods for three years. During this time frame, mom and dad started another business — Pearl’s Hobby Shop in Fortuna — and owned it for numerous years before selling it to their business partners. Dad then went to Pacific Lumber Company and worked for them for 24 years. He taught most of the employees at PL First Aid and CPR. People to this day mention that dad taught them at PL. Mom and dad then became caretakers for PL and Mendocino Forest at the Yager Creek property. Dad remained on the property after mom’s passing in 2006 and eventually moved to Scotia in 2018. Dad was also a volunteer fireman for Scotia Fire Department.

Dad was a magnificent woodworker and built beautiful furniture over the years. He was also a very good mechanic and loved to rebuild engines. He enjoyed going to the local casinos and was known to be a great poker player. He also enjoyed watching major league baseball games and going to the local horse races at Humboldt County Fair.

Dad leaves behind son, Jeff Rosdahl (Brenda), and grandchildren Derek Rosdahl and Janna Froeming; son, Jerry Rosdahl (Colleen), and grandchildren Nikki Rouzzo, Christopher Rouzzo, Anthony Rouzzo, and great granddaughter Riley Rouzzo; daughter, Deanna Toczyl, and grandchild Shawn Toczyl; son, Andy Rosdahl (Dawn), and grandchildren Harley Kilroy and Skylar Burkett. Dad and mom had numerous friends over the years, but the friends that we all remember the most were Sheri Chambers, and Dan & Chloe Krader.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Humboldt for their loving care. They were very helpful and compassionate for both dad and our family.

Dad was laid to rest in a private ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery. Per Dad’s request, he was placed with mom, which showed how much they loved each other.

A potluck celebration of life for dad will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at the Scotia Fire Hall. Please contact the family if you have any questions.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Ellis Rosdahl’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.