Elton Gerald Oltjenbruns

Elton Gerald Oltjenbruns passed away on February 7, 2017 at the Regent Park in Holyoke, Colorado surrounded by his loving family, he was 96. 

Elton was born on the family farm southwest of Holyoke, Colorado on August 23, 1920 to Harry and Amelia (Welper) Oltjenbruns.  Elton rode a pony to the Lakeside Country School southwest of Holyoke, Colorado.  After completing the 8th grade he helped many of the neighbors with their farming and hand- picked corn for friends in the Fairfield area and for family in Northeast Nebraska . 

Elton was baptized into the Lutheran faith in Amherst, Colorado on October 3, 1920 by Pastor Otto Hoyer and reaffirmed his faith on June 10, 1934 in Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke, Colorado by Pastor R. Einspahr.  

He lived with his parents southwest of Holyoke, Colorado until 1939, then his family moved to a farm southwest of Amherst, Colorado .   At that time he joined St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Amherst, Colorado.  He was an active member in the church holding many offices, teaching Sunday School and attending many District Conventions, he was a delegate to the Synodical Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.    

Elton was drafted into the United States Army in 1942 and served his country for the next three years in Texas, New Jersey and Germany, where he spent nine months in combat with the 102nd
Infantry Division as a medic and ambulance driver earning the good conduct medal, two bronze stars , a medical medal,  the American defense,  Army occupation and Dutch Liberation medals.  In 1979 he and Eunice went back to Europe with a group from the 102nd Division to retrace their steps during their combat.  After his discharge in 1945 he became a life member of the American Legion and VFW where he was proud to serve in many local, district and state department offices.   

Elton married Eunice Krueger on March 9, 1947, to this union four daughters were born, Susan, Sally, Jeri and Teri.  Elton and Eunice were blessed with sixty-nine years together.

Elton was a loving husband, father, brother, and uncle to his family. He loved his community and served in many capacities.  He was a charter member and served   twenty-three years on the Amherst Fire Department.  He served on the Elevator board for many years, the Holyoke School Board serving at the time the bond issue was passed for the current High School.  He was a Phillips County Commissioner and a board member of the Colorado Wheat Growers Association.

Elton was a successful wheat farmer and cattle rancher, teaching his trades to his daughters.  In 1980 Elton and Eunice turned the farm over to the family and moved into Holyoke. 

In retirement, Elton continued to help with the farming when needed and continued his hobbies of carving wooden ducks, many of which he donated to the Pheasants Forever fundraiser, along with refinishing and restoring furniture. 

Elton was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Amelia Oltjenbruns; sisters, Evelyn Franson, Glendora Severson and son-in-law, Kenneth Roll.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Eunice; daughters, Susan Roll-Walters and husband, Larry; Sally Saling and husband, Donald; Jeri Jones and husband, Terry; Teri Boyd and husband, Harold.  Seven grandchildren, Michelle Roll, Jeff Roll, Carrie Kraft, Jamie Roll, Angela Stephenson, Stephen Saling and Scott Saling; eleven great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild; twin brother, Milton Oltjenbruns; sister, Clara Heerman along with many other relatives and friends. 

Eunice has fond memories of Elton and his love for travelling. They would visit his old Army buddies at the yearly 102nd reunion.  He served as President of the 102nd Division in 1994 during the reunion in San Francisco.  Together they travelled to forty-seven states along with two trips to Germany and a Panama Canal Cruise.

Memorial donations may be made to Northeast Zone Scholarship Fund, The Orphan Grain Train or the Lutheran Hour. 

The Funeral Service will be held on Monday February 13, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Amherst, Colorado with Pastor Kurt Hatteberg officiating.  Interment will follow at the Amherst Cemetery.  Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.