Elk, Donald W. (1924-2008)
ELK, WHEALEN, WATT, DIXON, MEIER
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/7/2010 at 14:35:56
Donald W. Elk - Oct. 4, 1924 - Mar. 18, 2008
Donald Wayne Elk, 83, a long-time resident of Storm Lake, who currently resided at Otsego Place Assisted Living Center, died Tuesday, March 18, 2008, of pulmonary fibrosis at Methodist Manor.
Don was born Oct. 4, 1924, in Galva, the son of Clarence Cleveland and Mildred Whealen Elk. His family moved to Storm Lake in 1933, and he was a 1942 graduate of Storm Lake High School, lettering in football, basketball and track. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and was in flight school when the war ended. Following his discharge in 1945, he enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserve from which he retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He attended Iowa State College in Ames lettering in track. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1948.
He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Anne Watt on Dec. 19, 1947, in Grinnell. They resided in Marshalltown from 1948 until 1951. That year, they returned to Storm Lake when Don joined the firm of Whealan and Elk Insurance, which later became Owen Elk and Holmes and now Colburn and Elk. He was engaged in the life insurance and real estate business throughout his professional life.
He was avid golfer. He enjoyed singing in his church's choir and in community musicals. He also enjoyed playing bridge and other card games. He was known as a jokester. He was active in various community groups including the board of the Methodist Church and Methodist Manor, the United Methodist Mens' group, a past president of the Storm Lake School Board, president of the Storm Lake Chamber of Commerce, Commodore of the annual Star Spangled Spectacular, and a Co-Chairperson of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE).
He is survived by his daughter Sara Jane (Sally) Elk of Philadelphia, Pa.; two sons, James Watt Elk and his wife Catherine of Bar Harbor, Maine, and Robert Thomas Elk and girlfriend Ulrika Johannson of Los Angeles, Calif.; five grandchildren Laurel, Martha, Claire and Kevin Elk of Bar Habor, Elizabeth Dixon of Philadelphia and his sister, Marianna Meier, of Waterloo. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Elizabeth Watt Elk, an infant daughter, and his son-in-law Stuart Paul Dixon.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to The American Lung Association (61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006.) The Hospice program of the Beuna Vista Regional Healthcare Foundation (1525 West 5th Street, Storm Lake), Save the Lake/The Lake Preservation Association, (P.O. Box 1263, Storm Lake), SCORE Foundation (c/o Darrel Burns, Storm Lake Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 584, Storm Lake), The United Methodist Church (211 East 3rd Street), and the Witter Gallery (609 Cayuga Street, Storm Lake.)
In accordance with his wishes, his body was cremated. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 12, 2008, at 10:30 am in the United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jamie Cutler officiating and burial to follow in the Storm Lake Cemetery under the direction of the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.
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Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
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