Eugene "Bud" Ellefson

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Bud Ellefson on January 23, 2026.

Bud was born on January 23, 1931 in Buchanan Saskatchewan, the youngest of 2 boys.

When Bud was a teenager, his family boarded a train to make the trip across the prairies to settle in Medicine Hat, Alberta where Bud would make his home for the early part of his adult life.
 Bud was a hard-working young man, who made his living working on water wells, enjoying life, playing guitar and finding all kinds of trouble, working hard, playing harder. This was where his family started with the birth of his first daughter Candace. 

Fast forward a little, when he started to calm his wild ways, he met the one that would steal his heart and make him settle into the family man that we all cherished, Pearl, and together they would raise their children, Shirley, Bill, Sheri and Bob starting in Manyberries, Alberta. 
This is where the love and the passion for chariot (and later chuckwagon) racing began. There were always horses, dogs, cats, and chores to be done. It was this love for horses and ranching that brought Bud the opportunity to move the family to Gull Lake to work on the Connick Ranch and be closer to Pearl’s family and her eldest son, Calvin and to later welcome their youngest daughter, Tannis.

Bud and Pearl would easily become part of the ranching community with dances and get togethers often at Grassy Hill, where Bud would play guitar and sing with whoever wanted to join.
Then there was the racing community that Bud was a part of for many years, South Saskatchewan Pony Chuckwagon and Chariot Association, this was where he was truly his happiest, taking that figure eight through the barrels, coming out of there like he was on fire, definitely earning the nickname of “Barreling Bud”. Many great friendships and memories were made on many racetracks in many different towns. 

Hockey…that was the other thing Bud loved to watch and coach (only for a short time and really only to encourage the fights) He was a frequent fan at the Greyhound games, and figured out if you took the end off of a popcorn container, your voice would carry further when you were cussing out the refs.
Bud would later return to his love of music, after he met Lil, and together they started the Friday night jam sessions, where many people from surrounding towns would come to dance and play. 

Bud was many things to many people; he was always there with a great big laugh and a hug to match. He welcomed anyone into his home and his life, if you needed something he could provide, he gave it willingly, without the expectation of anything in return. He will be missed.

Bud was predeceased by his wife Pearl, his son Bill and son in law Darren.
He leaves to cherish these wonderful memories his children, Calvin, Shirley, Sheri, Candace, Bob, Tannis and their families.
As well as Lilian Crocker and her family, as they embraced him as their own for so many years. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: 
Heart and Stroke Foundation
1200-2300 Yonge St.
Box 2414
Toronto, Ontario
M4P 1E4
www.heartandstroke.ca

Arrangements entrusted to: Warren’s Funeral Home. For further information please call (306) 773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or, visit the website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members on the tribute wall. 

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