Obit: Eloranta, Edwin J. (1918 – 2017)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Eloranta, Korhonen, Ruonavaara, Blaha, Vater, Grunseth, Stevens, Gazapian

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 23 Mar 2017

Eloranta, Edwin J. (6 OCT 1918 – 20 MAR 2017)

Edwin Jonas Eloranta, oldest child of Finnish immigrants, Jonas and Hilja (Korhonen) Eloranta, was born on October 6, 1918 in Detroit, Michigan. In 1921 the couple bought a farm in the Town of Green Grove southeast of Owen, Wisconsin, and two more boys were born. Ed and his brothers learned Finnish at home, and learned English when they began first grade at North Bright School. Ed's father died in 1929, so during and after graduating from eighth grade, the young boys and their mother worked hard eking out a living from the 40-acre dairy farm.

As an 18-year-old Ed worked laying the new power lines that brought electricity to rural areas. Another of his early jobs was to accompany and to care for cattle in railroad cars to Norfolk, Virginia. In 1941 Ed worked at grain mills in the Twin Cities. Demands on the farm soon brought him back in Clark County.

Ed met Elma Helen Ruonavaara when he took his mother to a church meeting in Hancock, Michigan. Soon he was making frequent trips to Hancock. The couple married on February 6, 1943, and moved to the Eloranta farm near Owen. Their first child was born on the farm. May 1944, they were able to buy their own farm in the SW corner of the Town of Green Grove, where Ed and Elma raised their eight children. They have lived on this farm 73 years. On March 20, 2017, Ed died peacefully in his farm house.

Ed and Elma were interested in learning and education. With their encouragement all eight of their children attended college. Ed enjoyed inventing and building equipment for his farm, growing and harvesting crops, repairing engines and electrical devices, welding, woodworking, fishing, and hunting. Later, he enjoyed helping his grown children with their building projects. He and Elma traveled to Washington, Arizona, Florida, and, in fulfillment of a lifetime dream, to Finland. In Finland they were warmly welcomed by many relatives.

Ed is survived by his wife of 74 years, Elma, and by children Edwin W. (Jeanne) Eloranta of Mt. Horeb; Helen (Rob) Vater Blaha of Loyal, Jim (Pat) Eloranta of Owen; Jack (Corky) Eloranta of Tower, MN; Bob (Mary) Eloranta of Pewaukee; Dave (Bonnie) of Poynette; Rick (Sue) Eloranta of Owen; and Carol Eloranta of Grand Marais, MN. He is also survived by grandchildren: Ed (Kay) Vater of Osceola; Sue (George) Vater Olsen of New London; Jack (Jenny) Vater of Iola; Chris (Katie) Eloranta of Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada ; Erica (Anna) Grunseth of Green Bay; Emily Eloranta of Tower, MN; Tom Eloranta of Chicago, IL; John Eloranta of Tower, MN; Tyler (Sarah) Eloranta of Florence, WI; Jessie (John) Stevens of Edgerton, WI; Rebecca (Andrew) Gazapian of Poynette; Rachel Eloranta of Poynette; Ryan Eloranta of St. Paul, MN; Kari Eloranta of St. Paul, MN; and Kate Eloranta of St. Paul, MN. He is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren: Michael, Sarah and Eric Vater, Robbie, Charlie, Henry and Nola Mae Vater, Gwyn and Natalie Eloranta, Ivy, Clara, and Jane Stevens; Jonas Eloranta; and Noelle Gazapian. He is survived by his brother George Eloranta of Owen and sister-in-law, Grace Eloranta of Fort Wayne, IN

Edwin J. Eloranta was preceded in death by his brother Walter, sister-in-law, Lola Eloranta, a son-in-law, Neil P. Vater, and infant granddaughter Julie Vater. In accord with his wishes, there will be no services or memorials.

 

 


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