Elmer Stier

Elmer John Walter Stier was born on April 22, 1918, to Ernst Franz Wilhelm and Emma (Fehlandt) Stier. He was the youngest of 12 children and lived most of his life on the same farm south of Belle Plaine where he was born. He was a life-long member of St. John Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine, having been baptized as an infant (at home due to the widespread flu epidemic) and also confirmed in 1932 by Rev. P. J.Haupt. Elmer attended country school in Belle Plaine township, completing 8th grade by age 11. Elmer was born a farmer which became his lifelong passion. From childhood he helped his older brothers on their farms and as a teenager took over the work of running his father's farm. He loved the daily variety of farming and embraced the challenges of caring for a portion of God's creation. He looked forward to the changing seasons and the promise of new life and bountiful harvest. Elmer found the love of his life in Marvel Schmidt. They were united in marriage on May 8, 1940, at St. John Church in Belle Plaine. The couple was blessed with five children: Carol, David, Lois, Dale and Lynne. Shortly after they married, Elmer and Marvel took over the Stier family farm. They enjoyed 47 years together as they raised their family in addition to cattle, hogs, sheep, chickens, lots of cats, always a dog, corn, oats, soybeans, alfalfa, and a huge garden best known for raspberries, sweet corn, potatoes, cucumbers and cabbage. When the work was done, they liked to go dancing or visiting. Guests were always welcome in their home and no one ever left hungry. Church functions and family get-togethers of all kinds were always among their pleasures. They became involved in Shaklee where they found many new friends and traveled to many parts of the country, including Hawaii. After Marvel died in 1987, Elmer gradually retired from active farming although he kept his garden and lived in the house where he was born for several more years. During that time, he tried his luck at golfing and found to his amazement that he actually liked it! Meanwhile, he enthusiastically participated in plans for developing Valley View Golf Course on the land that he loved and carefully tended for so many years. He hit the grand opening drive at the course and played regularly for the next 17 years. In 1989 Elmer was introduced to Carol (Sumption) DeWitte, who became the second love of his life. Elmer and Carol were married at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Peter, Minnesota, on February 10, 1990. They lived on the farm until moving to Belle Plaine in 1993, then became charter residents of Kingsway Retirement Living complex in 2008. They warmly welcomed each other's large families and enjoyed dancing, church and community activities. Travel highlights included a wedding trip to Hawaii (where it rained steadily for two weeks!) and a trip to Germany in 2000 where Elmer visited the church in Germany, where his father was baptized before immigrating with his parents to America in 1876. Elmer and Carol enjoyed 21 years together before she died on March 25, 2011. Following a recent fall, Elmer experienced significant and progressive health issues prompting his move to Kingsway Assisted Living and ultimately hospice care. He continued to enjoy many visitors of all ages. His sense of humor and his penchant for remembering birthdays never flagged. He looked forward to meeting his Maker and reuniting with his many dear family members and friends. Asked how he would like to be remembered, he replied, "as an honest man". A few days later on December 28, 2011, he left this life peacefully at the age of 93 years, 8 months and 6 days. Funeral services in celebration of Elmer's life were held on Saturday, December 31, 2011, at St. John Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine with Pastor Mark Johnson officiating and arrangements by Kolden Funeral Home. Music was provided by great grandson Tom Maidl at piano and Adella Greutzmacher at organ. Casket bearers were Armin Dahn, Dan Gross, Gary Schmidt, Chris Stier, Dan Stier and Maynard Schmidt. Honorary bearers were additional godchildren and grandchildren. Readers included grandchildren Dave Hartman and Heidi Hogg. .Elmer was laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Belle Plaine. Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Marvel; his second wife Carol; son David; son-in-law Douglas Plantikow; granddaughter Anne Hartman; two infant great grandsons, Benjamin and Ryan Hartman; all 11 of his siblings and many of their spouses - Walter & Marie, John & Alma, Otto & Viola, Edwin & Edna/Ruth, Arnold & Hilda, Erwin, Julius, Ida and Marie Stier, Lydia & Paul Dahn, Emma & Art Krueger; two brothers-in-law, Earl and Donald Schmidt; several nieces and nephews; step son-in-law and two step sisters-in-law of the Sumption family. Elmer is survived by three daughters: Carol (Larry) Hartman of Windom; Lois Plantikow of St. Louis Park; Lynne (Archie) Gross of LeSueur; son Dale (Susan) Stier of Belle Plaine; daughter-in-law Barb Stier of Lakeville; 15 grandchildren Dave & Bill (Debbie) Hartman; Mark & Dan (Carmen) Stier, Diane (Leon) Maidl; Tim & Tom (Linda) Plantikow; Ted (Heather) & Christopher (Tiffany) Stier, Heidi (Andrew) Hogg, Rick (Amber) Stier; Dan, Brian, Lisa & Stacy Gross; 18 great grandchildren; four sisters-in-law Lydia and Hilda Stier, Eldora and Lila Schmidt; two step children, four step grandchildren and great grandchildren and five siblings-in-law of the Sumption family as well as many friends of all ages. Forever blessed be the endearing memories of Elmer J. Stier.