Nicholas Rion Stellner

Nicholas Rion Stellner was born in Elko on March 4, 1990, to Susanne Stellner Ellingson. He lived for much of his childhood in Elko and in California, Virginia, and Michigan before returning to Nevada and enlisting in the Army in 2008. He passed away on October 12, 2023, at his home in Reno, Nevada at the age of 33.

Nick was a kind and compassionate young man who loved children, and also loved playing soccer, hiking, racing BMX bikes, fast cars, being outdoors, and basketball. He was especially close to his brother Jordan and sister Whitney, as well as his grandparents, John and Dorothy Stellner. He had many friends, including his close friends, Andy, Sam, Miles, and Joe. He loved animals, especially dogs, and had special canine friends in his dogs Chance and Tater. 

Nick served his country with honor and valor in the Army during his tours of Iraq and Afghanistan. He was awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars; the Army Commendation Medal; the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service ribbon and Overseas Service ribbon. 

Nick was preceded in death by both of his great-grandmothers, June Stellner and Lyrl Pryor, his step-grandparents Jack and Jane Ellingson, and his cousin Arik Stellner.

He is survived by his mother, Susanne Stellner Ellingson, his brother Jordan Ellingson, sisters Whitney and Melissa Ellingson, his stepfather Jeff Zaugg, his maternal grandparents John and Dorothy Stellner, his aunts Dorris Journeay and Jeanne Garnero, his cousins Luke and Justin Garnero, and Heidi Journeay, as well as his nieces Leilani and Bella, and nephews Salem and Jeremiah. 

His life so greatly impacted so many other lives in so many ways for 33 years, and he will be remembered forever with love by all who knew him. 

Services for Nicholas will be held at Burns Funeral Home in Elko, Nevada at 2:00 pm on Thursday, October 19.

Memorials, tributes and memorial donations may be made to his mother, Susanne Ellingson, and her surviving children.

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