Elwood Elliott, age 89 of River Falls, WI, passed away August 10, 2020 at the River Falls Area Hospital. Elwood was born March 16, 1931 in River Falls Township, Pierce County, WI to Henry M. and Anna (Dahlquist) Elliott, the youngest of 5 and only son. He graduated from River Falls High School with the class of 1949. On June 27, 1953, Elwood was united in marriage to Marion Dusek at St. Bridget Catholic Church. Their marriage was blessed with five children, Greg, Cindy, Lori, Mike and Steve. Elwood proudly served his country in the US Army from December 2, 1953 to December 1, 1955, assigned to the artillery Battalion at Fort Hood and trained as a cannoneer.
Elwood and Marion farmed on the Elliott farm, which Elwood’s great-grandfather homesteaded in 1863. They were in dairy until 1991, then switched to raising beef cattle. After selling the milk cows, Elwood worked for the Township of River Falls doing road maintenance, retiring in 1997. He couldn’t sit still, so went to work for Jack and the Green Sprouts and the River Falls School District as an activity’s bus driver. He retired again, but continued to farm on a smaller scale. Elwood and Marion shared 64 years of marriage and many wonderful memories, until Marion’s death on November 28, 2017.
Introduced to music at a very young age, Elwood continued that passion throughout his life. His mother played the piano and wanted all her children to try music. Elwood learned to play the piano, then the violin while in school. Later he learned to play the guitar, but his best instrument was his voice. He was in church choir for many years and delighted in being a part of the “Four Fathers” quartet.
Elwood joined the River Falls Fletcher-Pechacek American Legion Post 121 in 1978, and remained an active member working chicken frys, bingo and serving on the Honor Guard. Elwood also served on the board of the Township of River Falls for 25 years in supervisor positions and issued building permits. He especially enjoyed camping trips with the Kinni Campers and Good Sams and attending Samborees from coast to coast.
Elwood will remain in the hearts of his children, Greg (Monica) Elliott of River Falls, Cindy (Les) Ray of River Falls, Lori Elliott-Larson (Randy) Larson of Plum City, Mike (Janine) Elliott of Ellsworth and Steve Elliott of River Falls; grandchildren: Julie Elliott of Duluth, James Elliott of Wuhan, China, Jacob Elliott (fiancée Tara) of Eau Claire, Jeremy (Diane) Elliott of Elmwood, Michelle (Tom) Moore of Red Wing, Maxwell Elliott of River Falls and Andrea Elliott of River Falls; great-grandchildren, Joshua and Melissa Jo Elliott; Howard and Hagen Moore; brothers-in-law, Donald (Marge) Dusek of River Falls and Marvin Dusek of Pepin; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marion; sisters and their husbands: Arlene (Marion) Dixon, Leota (Dwight) Andrea, Dorothy (Clyde) Sharp, Shirley (Fred) Kurtz; inlaws: Bernice (Irven) Oelsligle, Marlys S. Dusek and Elaine Dusek; and his parents.
The family would like to thank all who cared for Elwood throughout this past year, especially the staff at Wellhaven and Comforts of Home in River Falls.
A private family Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church and was live streamed on the St. Bridget Catholic Church Facebook page and YouTube Channel at https//www.youtube.com/saintbridget. Interment with military honors took place at St. Bridget Catholic Cemetery. Now that Covid restrictions have been lifted, a public Celebration of Elwood’s life will be held 12:00 Noon – 3:00 PM Sunday, August 8, 2021 at the Fletcher-Pechacek American Legion Post 121, 701 N Main St., River Falls. We appreciate the kind cards, flowers and memorials we have been received in support. Please join us to celebrate Elwood’s life, where we can finally hug, reminisce and share memories together.
