Gary "Gomer" Raymond Elj

Roberta Truempler2025-03-01T14:06:36-06:00

Name: Gary "Gomer" Raymond Elj
Location of Birth: Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Date of Birth: October 15, 1951
Date of Death: February 23, 2001 (49 years old)
Parents: Harold Elj and Alice (Nyhus) Elj
High School and Class: 1969 - Nashwauk-Keewatin High School, Nashwauk, Minnesota
College:
Highest Rank:
Branch: Army
Other Branch:
Date Sworn In:
Place Sworn In:
Date of Discharge:
Place of Discharge:
Military Awards:

Military Highlights:
Gary was a United States Army veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne "PaPa" Company. He was the last surviving member of his company.

Wars Involved:
Vietnam Era

MIA / POW:

Civilian Life:
Gary grew up in the Buck Lake area in Itasca County, Minnesota.

On December 18, 1971, he was united in marriage to Ardelle Alto in Nashwauk, Minnesota.

Following marriage, the couple lived in Hibbing, Calloway, Frazee, Richmond, and San Francisco, prior to moving to Virginia, Minnesota.

Gary was presently employed by Entronics in Eveleth, Minnesota as an electronic technician.

He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also had a love for carpentry.

He was preceded in death by his son, Joseph Lee Elj, in July, 1979.

Gary is survived by his wife of twenty-nine years, Ardelle; one son, Derek Elj; one daughter, Sherry Kay Elj (Ryan Gibson); one granddaughter; his parents; two sisters, Barbara Elj and Susan (Jim) McCaski; two brothers, Duane (Terri) and Darrell (Sally); numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Gary died at the Virginia Regional Medical Center in Virginia, Minnesota and is buried in Nashwauk Cemetery at Nashwauk, Minnesota. (No grave marker photo available at this time)

Tribal Affiliation(s):