Elmer Clarence Soehren was born at Everly, Iowa, on March 19, 1907, to parents Daniel and Pauline (Jepsen) Soehren. The family moved to a farm southeast of Windom, Minnesota, in 1910. He attended Rural School in Jackson County and High School in Windom. Elmer graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1932. Elmer married Agnes Quinlan in 1936. Agnes passed away in 1963. He married Gladys Neraasen of Boyd, Minnesota, in 1966. He had two step-sons, Curtiss and Ronald. Elmer spent most of his working life employed in the Agriculture field. During this time, it was spent mostly in sales and credit positions in fertilizer, chemicals, and feeds. He worked in 22 states, while living in Minneapolis, Chicago, Kewanee, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; and Brownwood, Texas. In 1964, he became the manager of Minnesota Farm Bureau Service Co. at Clarkfield, Minnesota. This became "The Farm Service Co." and now is Prairie Grain Partners. While he was there he was the manager of chemicals, feed, seed, grain bins, and machinery and grain. Elmer was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. He served as a Trustee, Vice Chairman, and Secretary at various times. He also was a member of the Clarkfield Lions Club, Civic and Commerce Association, and the Toastmaster Club. He retired in 1980 and continued to live on the farm at Boyd, feeding a few cattle, doing traveling, and spending much time in the horticulture and garden fields. He was a University of Minnesota Master Gardener and received the Eldred Buers Horticulture Award in 1991. He also spent much time as a farm mediator and served in numerous boards. Elmer became a resident of the Clarkfield Care Center, Clarkfield, Minnesota, in June of 2002. He passed away at the Care Center on Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at the age of 97 years, 2 months, and 20 days. He is survived by his wife, Gladys of Boyd; step-sons Curtiss (and Linda) Neraasen of Webster, Minnesota, and Ronald (and Barbara) Neraasen of Norwood-Young America, Minnesota, and their children. He is also survived by brother Walter Soehren of Windom, Minnesota; nieces; and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Agnes; sisters Wilma and Fae; and brothers Lester and Kenneth. Visitation Friday, June 11, 2004 * 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service 6:30 p.m. Lynner Funeral Home, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Saturday, June 12, 2004 * 10:30 a.m. Zion Lutheran Church, Tyro Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Officiating, Pastor Scott Muehlberg Organist, Kathy Jahn Vocal Music, The Jessen Family Honorary Casketbearers Allen Adams, Charles Anderson Wenzel Anderson, Jim Bach DuWayne Hermanson, Boyd Long Casketbearers (Elmer's nephews) Bob Porisch, Bruce Porisch Dan Soehren, David Soehren Neil Soehren, Steven Soehren Final Resting Place Lakeview Cemetery, Windom, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota