ELSON, Charles "Lee"

ELSON, BEMIS, VARGA, NETHERTON, AMOROSI, CANFIELD, ANSPACH, IVERSON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 11/24/2016 at 01:10:20

Obituary ~ Charles "Lee" Elson
October 4, 1921 ~ November 17, 2016

Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa

Lee Elson was a man who lived through the depression, fought in WWII, worked his way through college, lived with integrity, faith, true humility, and “skill and perseverance.” He never asked for handouts, but would give them out either directly or by just not charging for work done. He understood you had to work for what you needed and sometimes even got what you wanted. He retired in his late 80’s.

A neighbor shared that in 43 years she had never heard one cross word come out of his mouth directed at his wife. The ring on his finger has been there for 66 years. Together with his loving and devoted wife, Nancy, their legacy will continue.

Charles Lee Elson was born to Charles Wesley and Eleanor (Bemis) Elson on October 4, 1921, in Corydon, Iowa. He attended and graduated from Corydon High School. During his high school years, music was his passion, and he won National Honors playing the baritone.

After high school he worked his way through law school at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Due to the start of World War II, he put his education on hold and enlisted in the United States Army. He was a Sergeant in the 9th Armored Division. He was initially sent to Fort Knox, KY, where he was responsible for training other soldiers. When the Battle of the Bulge started in France, his division was deployed as replacement troops because many had died in the battle. They traveled from Scotland, to England, to France, and ultimately to Germany. He was part of a company of 12 tanks, which was part of the 9th Armored Division. In Germany, they were sent to Remagen to protect the bridge over the Rhine River that was being utilized as a way to cross the river to attack the Germans. Shortly after that the war in Europe ended. He saw the aftermath of the war and concentration camps, but rarely talked about the experience. His division was being prepared to go to the Pacific, but shortly before being deployed the war ended and he was able to come home. He stated that the “most exciting thing that happened” to him was being able to come home on the Queen Mary. There were three times as many people on board as she would hold, with 15,000 troops on board. When they saw the Statue of Liberty it “felt like an explosion” when everyone ran to the side to see. He said he now understood why people “kissed the ground” when they returned home to the United States.

After the war, he finished law school and moved to Leon, Iowa to join the law and abstract office of his Aunt Lena Varga. He continued to work in that same office until retirement. He also enjoyed time with his family and friends, traveling, and fishing.

Lee met and married his wife of 66 years, Nancy (Netherton) at a Halloween party. Nancy survives him along with his sister, Jane Amorosi of Chicago, Illinois; three children, Dr. David Elson and Julie, Rachel Elson Canfield and Ted, and Sylvia Anspach and Larry; and six grandsons, Andrew & Celine Elson, Michael & Claire Elson, Nathan Iverson, Benjamin & Frances Iverson, Thomas & Rae Canfield, and Daniel Canfield. He also is survived by his first great grandson, Charles “Charlie” Edward Elson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his Aunt Lena Varga, and grandchildren, Sarah and Samuel Canfield and Jennifer Anspach.

The family would like to thank all those who made it possible for Lee to stay home during the final days of his life, including Delaine Ploessel, Christine and the staff of HCI, Dr. Larry and Connie Richard, the staff of South Central Home health care, including Kim, Casey, Miriam and Caroline; Ruby Smith and all the friends (who are really extended family) who have watched over Lee and Nancy diligently for years. Lee was a loving, honorable, supportive husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be greatly missed.

Memorial Services will be held at the Leon Loving Chapel United Methodist Church on January 7, 2017, at 4 p.m. with Rev. Rick Hawkins officiating. The burial in Leon Cemetery, Leon, Iowa will be private. Arrangements were through the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa.

Memorials may be given to the Leon Loving Chapel United Methodist Church.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2016

Decatur Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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