Elmer Albrecht, Sioux Falls

Elmer Albrecht, 85, Sioux Falls, died Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, at his home. He was born on Jan. 16, 1927.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at East Side Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls. Burial will be in Hills of Rest Memorial Park, Sioux Falls.

Visitation will begin at noon Friday at George Boom Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m.

Elmer Lawrence Albrecht was born in Pollock to Ferdinand and Elizabeth Albrecht.

Elmer grew up in Pollock and completed his schooling there in 1944 and moved to Aberdeen and began work on the Milwaukee Railroad.

At age 17, in September 1944, he joined the Navy. Elmer served in the Pacific on the USS Watts and the USS Ebert, both destroyer escorts.

After the war ended, his ship visited several ports in China and the Philippines before sailing home and entering San Francisco harbor, passing under the Golden Gate Bridge.

He received an honorable discharge in April 1946 and returned to Aberdeen to work on the Milwaukee Railroad as a mechanical repairman.

In Aberdeen, he met Virginia, the love of his life, and they were married on April 2, 1947, and lived in Aberdeen for five years.

They moved to Red Wing, Minn., for seven years and to Mitchell in 1958 for 12 years, finally settling in Sioux Falls in 1971.

Elmer worked as a mechanical supervisor for the Milwaukee Railroad for 38 years and finished his railroad years working for the Burlington Northern in Sioux Falls.

Elmer’s love for life was so evident in the amazing way he loved his family and, in turn, was so loved by them. He always was able to make each of his children and grandchildren feel so special, never missing an opportunity to be part of their lives.

Family gatherings at Christmas and the Fourth of July were some of his favorite times. Elmer was a wonderful example as a dad, grandpa and great-grandpa — the strength, courage, and undeniable faith and love for family that he taught all of us is truly remarkable.

Grateful for having sharing his life are his children: Stan (Linda) Albrecht; Steve (Georgia) Albrecht, all of Sioux Falls; Bruce (Becky) Albrecht, Aberdeen; and Anthony Albrecht, Orlando, Fla.; 12 grandchildren: Amy Gross, Aaron Albrecht, Charlotte VanRoekel, Judd Albrecht, Jamie Vickery, Jen Olenkamp, Tylor Albrecht, all of Sioux Falls; Desiree Albrecht and Allyson Albrecht, Orlando; Brandon Schjodt, Yankton; Brent Albrecht, Crystal, Minn.; and Scott Albrecht, Aberdeen; 16 great-grandchildren: Abby, Zach, Briana, Jacob, Nathan, Nick, Addy, Kailyn, Liam, Mckenzie, Josiah, Brooklyn, Alyse, Talon, Caleb and Isaac; four sisters: Viola Gilberston, Ruby Prouse, Deloris Larson and Doris (Marv) Nickell; and a sister-in-law Loretta Schuff.

Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia (2010); parents, brothers: Irvin and Wilmer; and sisters: Iris and Edith.

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