Obit: Dearth, Elmer (1917 – 2014)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Dearth, Westlake, Matson, Ely, Passini, Robinson, Luther, Buhler, Sayles, Anderson, Mader, Hoff, Tauchen, Olsen, Nielsen

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 05 Aug 2014

Dearth, Elmer (20 MAY 1917 – 2 AUG 2014)

Elmer Dearth age 97, of Owen, passed away on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at the Clark County Health Care Center in Owen. His funeral service will be at 11AM on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at Community Alliance Church in Withee. The Rev. Dylan Valliere will officiate. Visitation will be at the Maurina- Schilling Funeral Home in Owen on Tuesday, August 5 from 4-7PM and again on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in the Riverside Cemetery in the Town of Hixon.

Elmer was born May 20, 1917 the son of Joseph A. and Charlotte (Westlake) Dearth in Owen, WI. He received his education at Owen Public Schools until the eighth grade. He worked on the family farm, north of Owen, until his marriage, which took place on April 22, 1939 to Hilda Matson in Withee, WI at the Danish Lutheran Church. Elmer then worked at the Carnation Company in Owen until 1945, when they moved to Eau Claire and he worked at the Blue Moon Company. The couple then moved back to Owen in May of 1946 to take over the family farm which they ran until their retirement. They lived in the Owen area most of their life. He was faithful member at the Community Alliance Church, and especially loved family gatherings. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought such a smile to his face, his eyes would light up when he saw a little one.

Elmer is survived by his three children: Kenneth (Deloris) Dearth of Prentice, WI; Shirley (Philip) Ely of Marshfield, WI; and David (Toni) Dearth of Kaukauna, WI. He is the loving grandpa to: Debra (Jeff) Passini, Cheryl Robinson, Julie (Mark) Luther, Kenny (Wanda) Dearth, Mike Dearth, Shannon (Traci) Dearth, Heather (Chris) Buhler, Rex (Rhonda) Sayles, Tammy (Jeff) Anderson, Dusty (Janelle) Sayles, Robyn (Chris) Mader, Jeremy (Kristi) Ely, Nikki (John) Hoff, Derek (Kristin) Dearth and Ryan Dearth. He was the proud great-grandpa of 34 great- grandchildren (and one to be born in October) and two great-great grandchildren. He is further survived by a sister; Clara Tauchen of Dorchester.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife; Hilda on July 12, 2010, daughter; Edna Sayles, son; Gordon Dearth, son-in-law; Loran Sayles, brothers; Ray, Russell, Frank and Harvey Dearth and sisters; Wilda Olsen and Myrtle Nielsen.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home of Owen. Online condolences may be offered at www.maurinaschilling.com.