Obit: Elmer, Thomas F. (1928 – 2016)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Elmer, Zimmerman, Eskildsen, Wendland, Schiferl, Franz, Kramer

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 30 Nov 2016

Elmer, Thomas F. (28 AUG 1928 – 27 NOV 2016)

Thomas F. Elmer, 88, Greenwood, passed away peacefully at his home, on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Loyal. Rev. Daniel Zimmerman will officiate. Burial will follow in the Greenwood City Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Greenwood American Legion Post #238. Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Brandon Elmer, Justin Eskildsen, John Wendland, Sam Wendland, Luke Schiferl and Aaron Schiferl. Visitation will be held at the church, on Saturday, from 9 a.m. until time of service.

Thomas Franz Elmer was born on Aug. 28, 1928, in the town of Warner, Clark County, to Ernest and Bertha (nee Franz) Elmer. He was raised on the family farm and received his education in the Greenwood area, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1947. He entered the U.S. Air Force on Dec. 30, 1947, where he attended flight mechanic school and was a flight engineer. He served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged on Dec. 29, 1951. Tom returned to Greenwood and went to work for Wisconsin Airlines in Madison. He married Marlene Ann Kramer on Oct. 22, 1955, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Greenwood. Tom purchased a milk route, which he operated for four years. He then sold the route and took over farming his family farm in the town of Warner. After retiring in 1985 and selling the farm to his son, Bruce, Tom worked for Landini Auctions, read meters for Clark Electric, and delivered meals on wheels. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Loyal, a member of the Greenwood American Legion Post #238, was a former member of the Loyal Circle 8 Square Dancers, previously served as a supervisor for the towns of Warner and Beaver, and had served on the boards for the Greenwood Credit Union and the Greenwood Co-op. Tom had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family and friends, camping, fi shing, playing cards, going on car rides, paint-by-numbers paintings, and wearing goofy hats.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Marlene, of Greenwood; his children: Barbara (Tim) Wendland of Green Bay, Bruce (Jo) Elmer of Greenwood, Rhonda (Arlen) Eskildsen of Loyal, and Darla (Randy Schiferl) of Hewitt; 15 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one brother, Lester (Faye) Elmer of Albuquerque, N.M.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Milton, in infancy.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. 

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.