Elmer Charles Minke

Elmer Charles Minke, ìChelm,î died unexpectedly on Thursday July 10, 2003 at 2:00 a.m. at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. Elmer was 72 years young.
Memorial services are to be held on Wednesday, July 16 at
3 p.m. at the American Legion in North St. Paul.
Elmer was born Feb. 21, 1931 in North St. Paul and was the seventh of eight children born to William and Emma Minke. Elmer worked hard on a mink farm for years and eventually began his lifelong career in the drywall industry.
On Jan. 13, 1951 Elmer was united in marriage to Marion Elaine Estby. They made their home in North St. Paul and energetically began their family of eight children: Sandy, Linda, Robin, Todd, Bill, Brian,
Brenda and Kent.
In 1968 Elmer and Marion purchased an old farm property with 160 acres on the Nemadji River near Barnum, Minn. This property became a legendary place to all friends and family associated with the Minkeís. It was quickly and fondly known by all as ìThe Farm.î This became a second home to the Minke family and was the central gathering place of many, many fun and unforgettable events.
In the summer of 1985 Elmer and Marion moved to Harris where they quickly made many new friends. Their home was easily accessible for friends and loved ones to stop in for a game of cards or horseshoe, coffee and homemade eats, and lots of chit-chat.
Elmer ìretiredî in 1993 when he enthusiastically pursued spending all of his time with his 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, along with his never-ending obsession with cutting wood and woodworking (Elmer loved wood!). Some of his other hobbies included playing horseshoe and pool, hunting and fishing, playing 500, softball, bowling, and vegetable gardening. Elmer loved life and it was his goal to make sure everyone was included, happy, and having a good time.
Elmer is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Marion; eight children: Sandy Letour-neau of Stillwater; Linda (Rick) Fink of Ellsworth, Wisc., Robin (Jerry) Thielbar of Harris, Todd (Jody) of Forest Lake, Bill (Gloria) of North St. Paul, Brian of Woodbury, Brenda (Mike) Vierling of Shafer, and Kent (Heather) of Harris; grandchildren include Cameron, Jennifer, Carrie, Michael, Brandon, Brooke, Dustin, Kyle, Cory, Nicole, Anne, Christopher, Blake and Hunter; great-grandchildren include Paige, Morgan, and Madalyn; brothers: Ernest, Floyd, Donald, and Kenneth. Elmer is preceded in death by his parents William and Emma, sisters Dorothy, Irene, and brother Clarence ìBud.î
Elmer is missed intensely by all family and friends. God bless his soul.

Top of Page

©ECM Post Review

6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com