Elmer Guderian

Elmer Kenneth Guderian, 90, of Wahpeton, ND, formally of Fergus Falls, MN and Breckenridge, MN passed away peacefully Thursday, August 28, 2014 at CHI St. Francis Health in Breckenridge, MN. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, September 3, at 2:00 PM at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND with Rev. John Andrews officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.
Elmer was born on April 29, 1924 at the farm home of his parents in rural Kent, MN. He was the eldest child and only son of Harry and Johanna (Tetzloff) Guderian. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. When he was four years old his father was severely injured after being run over by horses while working the field. He had been offered an experiential surgery of having a transplanted kidney from a pig that was being tried at the Mayo Hospital in Rochester. He chose to die rather than be a continued burden to his young family and died on Elmer's 5th birthday. Elmer's mother was left with three young children. Life was difficult as a child as his mother endured many financial difficulties. His mother remarried when he was twelve. He attended country school finishing the eighth grade and then worked for his step-dad and area farmers.
In 1945 he volunteered for military service enlisting in the Navy. However, the Marines were short of men and he was selected to be in the Marines. He was a part of the 5th Division of the Marines that invaded Iwo Jima and he spent 30 days on the front lines. He had been given a small Bible from his home church before he left for overseas. He carried it his pocket and always said the line from Psalm 23, "Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou are with me" as he ran across the battlefield. After leaving Iwo Jima his unit was on the way to Japan to attack the homeland when the atomic bomb was dropped. His plans were changed from battle to helping the country rebuild.
When he returned home he purchased a truck. He then met the girl of his dreams, Edna Fronning, at a dance in Barnesville, MN. While they were dating his sweetheart was stricken with polio. He faithfully drove to the hospital in Minneapolis every week to see her as she miraculously recovered. They were married on December 7, 1947 at the Aastad Lutheran Church in rural Aastad Township.
Elmer and Edna made their first home in Kent, MN where Elmer worked as a trucker. They eventually moved to Breckenridge, MN where Elmer worked at several different jobs. He and Edna were blessed with six children. Their first child, Larry, died from neuroblastoma at the age of six. Elmer worked hard to provide for his family and by his example taught his children to always be content with what they have. As a young dad he built trikes from abandoned ones left at the city dump, built them a lemonade stand, helped pile up snow for snow forts, taught them how to play Whist, and Monopoly and took them to drive-in movies, ice-skating and the county fair. He was an active dad that helped out with raising his kids while his wife helped him with her waitress job. He wasn't a dad that believed in "time-outs" - spankings were delivered when needed. He was also a volunteer Boy Scout Leader. He retired from the Wilkin County Highway Department in 1987 after 30 years. He had been the signman for the county and in the winter he drove snowplow.
In 1997 they moved to Fergus Falls, MN. They enjoyed going to many local dances where they made many friends. They also enjoyed playing cards and being involved in family activities. In 2005 they sold their home and moved to the Village Cooperative in Fergus Falls. They were one of the charter owners. There they continued to enjoy playing cards and the fellowship of friends and family.
Elmer loved all people. He always had a smile for everyone. He claimed Jesus as his savior and looked forward to seeing his son in heaven.
He was preceded in death by a son, Larry, his parents, step-dad William Rueidger, a sister Dorothy Krueger and brother-in-law Arlyn Krueger.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Edna of Wahpeton, ND; three daughters: Linda (Charles) Steiner of Foxhome, MN, LaVonne (Keith) Haring of West Fargo, ND, Lynette (Richard) Still of Wahpeton, ND; two sons Les (Denise) of Winona, MN, and Lee (Tammy) of Breckenridge, MN; eighteen grandchildren: Dr. Melissa Hall, Michael, Matthew and Mark Steiner, Dr. Stuart Haring, Heather O'Donnell, Stacy Galbraith, Ryan Haring, Corey Still, Christy Bernstein, Carrie Bernstein, Kyle, David, Angela, and Kimberly Guderian, and Fanchion, Adam, and Alex Guderian; 33 great-grandchildren; sister Marcella Krueger, Moorhead, MN, brother-in-law Marvin Krueger of Breckenridge, and sister-in-law Ardis Fronning of Fergus Falls, MN. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.