Elliott Schenk Oftedahl

Elliott Oftedahl, 82 year old life long resident of Pemberton, died Thursday evening, April 25, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.
Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 30, at St. Johns Ev. Lutheran Church in St. Clair with Rev. Matthew Grunewald and Rev. Del Begalka officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military honors performed by the St. Clair American Legion Post 475.
Visitation will be from 4-8 PM on Monday, April 29, at Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Service ~ Arnoldt Chapel of Janesville. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.
Elliott Schenk Oftedahl was born on December 11, 1936, in Medo Township, Blue Earth County, Minnesota to Clarence and Sadie (Schenk) Oftedahl. He was baptized as an infant on January 10, 1937, and later confirmed in his Lutheran faith as a youth on May 28, 1950, all at St. Johns Lutheran Church in St. Clair. On June 3, 1954, Elliott graduated from Pemberton High School. Elliott proudly served his country in the United States Army from January of 1955 until being honorably discharged in October of 1957. He served in the Korean War working on heavy equipment. On June 1, 1958, Elliott was united in marriage to Marleen M. Frank at 1st Lutheran Church in Wells. Together they made their home on the Oftedahl family farm in rural Pemberton where they raised their four children and continued to live throughout his life.
Elliott was a life long farmer, tending to his crops and raising livestock. You wouldnt catch Elliott operating anything but Allis Chalmers, most likely a 170 Allis. He is dearly remembered as a hard worker and dedicated farmer, no matter the hardship he always persevered. Although Elliott never retired from farming, he was proud to be able to pass on the operation and his passion of farming to his son, Tony. Outside of farming he enjoyed going to rodeos all over the country with his children, helping his kids with horses, and livestock for 4-H. Together with Marleen they made countless trips to the State Fair. In his younger years he enjoyed his morning coffee with the guys at the elevator where you may hear them refer to him as "The Duke". Later in life you could find him traveling around town on his golf cart at any time of the day. He loved watching westerns, and playing cards, although he was never good at cheating. Elliott especially cherished following his children and grandchildrens activities. He never had a negative thing to say about anyone. His family will always remember him as the toughest guy they ever knew. Above all else, Elliott loved Farming, Rodeo and especially his Family. Blessed be his memory.
Elliott is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Marleen; children: Tammie (Terry) Gunsolus of Pemberton, Colleen (Patrick) Carey of Mapleton, Jodi Oftedahl of Pemberton and Tony (Leanne) Oftedahl of Pemberton; grandchildren: Trent Gunsolus, Travis (Kristin) Gunsolus, Tyler (Megan) Gunsolus, Tricia (Jake) Fritz, Kyle (Brianna) Carey, Chelsea (Tyler) Hunstad, Kimberly (Logan) Carey, Kirstin Carey, Calla Oftedahl, Reid (Courtney) Oftedahl, Chance Oftedahl, Tate Oftedahl and Stranton Oftedahl; great grandchildren: Paige, Brielle, Ruby, Lexi, Braya, Callena, Colin, Lucas, James, and Paislee. sister, Dianna Krautbauer of Janesville; sisters-in-law: Betty (Sidney) Spangenberg of North Mankato, Susan (Ronald) Boeck of Freeborn, and Nordean Frank of Bismarck, ND; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents; brother, Duane Oftedahl; sister, Donna Jones; brothers-in-law: Duane Frank, Hayden Jones, Duaine Koehler, and Bruce Krautbauer.