Elmer Eugene Eliason

Elmer Eugene Eliason

July 19, 1927 - September 13, 2019

Elmer Eugene Eliason went to be with his Lord and Savior, comfortably in his home surrounded by his loving wife, Susan, and three daughters: Amy (Luck, WI), Beth (Wanamingo, MN) and Leah (Nathan Ericksen, Somerset, WI) at the age of 92.

Elmer was the second child of Olaf and Annie (Schlemmer) Eliason. Lillian was born the year before him, and the two were later joined by Julie, Paul, Leola, Beverly, Phyllis, and Annette.  Elmer was a hard worker from a young age, milking three cows by hand each morning before walking to East Laketown School, a one-roomed schoolhouse, grades 1-8.  He later attended Milltown High School where he graduated in 1945.

The Eliason family attended the North Valley Lutheran Church, where Elmer was baptized and confirmed.  Elmer taught Sunday school and occasionally stepped in as lay preacher while his pastor vacationed.  His dedication to the church continued throughout his life as he taught Pioneer Club classes, served as Deacon, held board positions and volunteered for various projects, like building a parsonage for Frederic Evangelical Free Church.

In 1951, Elmer entered the Army to serve with other Americans in the Korean War.  He breezed through basic training, as a physically fit farm boy. He joked that this time was like a vacation for him. He photographed his entire journey, from boot camp in Fort Hood, to the return trip through the Panama Canal, past the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, developing black and white photos along the way.

Elmer lived on and worked the family farm until a fire took their home in 2009. He worked as a painter for Green Thumb, followed by ten years as a custodian for Unity High School. He enjoyed retirement in their new home in Frederic, WI. As a lifelong learner, he enjoyed reading, but was always active--between naps-- with woodworking, hunting, fishing, biking, camping, agate hunting and photography.

Elmer was blessed with seven siblings and later seven grandchildren: Bretton, William, Brock, Edyn, Max, McKenzie and Trevor; plus four bonus grandchildren: Ali, Nicki, Emma and Oliver. After being surrounded by women for years, his favorite days were spent with his grandsons.

Elmer will be greeted in Heaven by his sisters Lillian (Creuzer/Christiansen), Julie (Olesen) and Leola (Backstrom/Katzmark); nephews Steve Eliason, Jeff Creuzer, Dale Ratzloff; and great grand-nieces Anya McCarthy and Mikayla Eliason-Kurkowski. 

A service is scheduled at Crosswalk Community Church, Frederic, WI, Friday, September 27, 2019 at 11am. Please join us in celebrating Elmer’s life.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.

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