Elton Elge

Elton Elge, age 94, of Aurora died Thursday, September 30, 2004, at Tiffany Square in Grand Island.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, October 4th at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Aurora. Rev. Karl Larson will officiate. Interment will be in the Monroe Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 P.M. Sunday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: ELTON ELGE

Elton Elge, the son of Carl and Anna (Lager) Elge, was born in Essex, Iowa on June 5, 1910 and died in Grand Island, Nebraska on September 30, 2004, at the age of 94.

He spent his early years in Essex, Iowa and his family moved to a farm northwest of Aurora when he was nine years old.

Elton was united in marriage to Esther O. Palmberg on July 26, 1933 at the Mamre Mission Church near Marquette. They farmed in the West Monroe Community, and were members of the Siloa Mission Church and then the West Monroe Free Church. Elton was a pioneer in irrigation development, digging his first well by hand. Elton entered the insurance business and was an agent for several years, as well as holding a real estate license. In 1970, they moved to Aurora. Esther passed away on January 20, 1992. Due to his health, he lived at Riverside Lodge for several years and most recently at Tiffany Square in Grand Island.

Elton started flying in 1940. He started his own airport and flying school. Elton wanted to serve in the Army Air Corps during World War II, but was denied due to his age, his family and his job as a farmer. Instead Elton joined the Civil Air Patrol and was involved with this for many years. Along with his flying duties, he was a crop duster for farmers in the area. He was a long-time member of the Nebraska Flying Farmers and Ranchers, where he was one of the first officers. He also enjoyed his ham radio.

Elton was a member of the Aurora Evangelical Covenant Church and the local Gideon Camp.

He was preceded in death by his wife, a sister, Ellen Gustafson, daughter-in-law, Carolyn Elge and sons-in-law, Wilbert Solander and Robert Sarver.

Those left to cherish his memory are his three children, Ron Elge of Aurora, Carolyn Solander of Aurora and Ruth (Robert) Dolan of Cedar Creek, Nebraska; 6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and a sister, Lillian Tollander of Omaha.