Archie Elbert

Archie Elbert, age 85 of rural Mankato, died Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at his home from lung cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 12, 2007 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Rev. Richard Colletti officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday at Mankato Mortuary with a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Memorials are preferred to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church or to ISJ Hospice Program.

Archie was born July 24, 1921 in Whittemore, Iowa to Joseph and Elizabeth (Fandel) Elbert. Archie attended country school taught by his older sister, Gertie. He graduated from St. Cecelias Academy in Algona, Iowa in 1940. He served in the US Navy during World War II from December 1942 to January 1946 in the South Pacific, as an aviation machinist mate third class and a tail gunner of a PBY aircraft.

Archie was united in marriage to Rose Shellenberger on April 19, 1947 in Early, Iowa. Together they raised six children. Archie and Rose farmed east of Algona, Iowa until 1969. They moved to Mankato where Archie worked for Custom Farm Services in the maintenance shop for three years. He then worked for Best Western for 14 years as maintenance engineer before retiring in 1986. After retiring, Archie worked at St. Johns Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato. He was a life member of the VFW 950 and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed golfing, wood working, and gardening. He assisted his youngest son in building three houses. He was an avid sports fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. Most of all he was a very loving husband, father and grandfather.

Archie is survived by his loving wife, Rose of Mankato; six children, Michael (Joy) Elbert of Alta Loma, CA, Eileen (Donald) Haase of Meridian, ID, Thomas (Kris) Elbert of Mankato, Joan (Jeff Carr) Betchwars of Moberly, MO, Diane (Thomas) Depuydt of North Mankato, Tim (Deb Gostomczik) Elbert of Mankato; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Delores Geelan and Evelyn Wagner; sister-in-law, Gladys Elbert; nieces, nephews and cousins. Archie was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Barbara Depuydt, great-granddaughter, Ariel Elbert; and nine siblings.