GRIFFEN, Eldo G. (1912-2001)

GRIFFEN, GREIMANN, BARENDREGT, VANOORT, HANSON, MOERKE, WAGNER, FERROW, SMITH

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 3/10/2016 at 21:25:23

Eldo G. Griffen, 1912-2001

April 10, 2001

Eldo G. Griffen, 89, of Garner, died on Wednesday, April 4, 2001, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 7, at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner, with the Rev. Darrell Weber officiating. Music was provided by organist, Margaret Jass who accompanied the church choir and congregational hymns. Ushers were Allan DeWitt, Virgil DeVary and Dean Goll.

Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery. Graveside military rites were conducted by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. Honorary bearers were Clayton Greiman, Arv Stille, Bernard "Bud" Greiman and Wayne Greiman. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Garner was in charge of the arrangements.

Eldo Gerald Griffen, the eldest of six children of Charles L. and Meta (Greimann) Griffen, was born on March 17, 1912, in Liberty Township in Hancock County. He was baptized and confirmed at the Peace Reformed Church, south of Garner and received his education at Ell Township #4. In 1929, he moved with his family to Alberta, Minnesota and helped on the family farm and worked with other farmers as a day laborer. He also worked on the construction of Minnesota Hwy. 28 west of Morris, Minnesota and the rebuilding of the Alberta Consolidated School.

Mr. Griffen returned to Garner in 1939 and worked with relatives husking corn, and doing chores. In 1942, he entered the U.S. Army during WW II. He was assigned to the 5th Armored Division, 607th Tank Battalion, Company A, as a tank driver in the European Theatre, serving under General Patton and General Eisenhower.

After his honorable discharge in 1945, Mr. Griffen returned to Garner where he continued as a farm laborer until he was seriously injured in a farm accident. Upon recovery, he worked as a painter and for the Greiman-Stille Ditching Company. He was employed by Winnebago Industries in 1962. After his retirement from Winnebago, he worked at Waldorf College for a number of years.

On August 24, 1963, he married Ottolena (Barendregt) Van Oort at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner. The couple lived at Forest City until October of 1985, when they moved to Garner. After the death of his wife, Mr. Griffen continued to live in their home until moving to the Prairie View Apartments in 1996.

He was a member of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church. He enjoyed the Bible studies of his church, hunting, fishing, playing cards, cracking black walnuts, watching TV and visiting with family and friends.

Survivors include four step-children, Dwayne VanOort and his wife, Dolores of Ankeny, Homer VanOort and his wife, June of Garner, LaVonne Hanson and her husband, Marvin of Kansas City, Missouri and Larry VanOort and his wife, Patricia of Cedar Falls; 23 step-grandchildren; many step-great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are three sisters, Estelle Griffen of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Ruth Moerke of Morris, Minnesota and Marvel Wagner and her husband, Joe of Morris, Minnesota; a brother-in-law, Peter Barendregt and his wife, Ada of Belem, New Mexico; two sisters-in-law, Betty Ferrow and her husband, George of Belem, New Mexico and Frances Griffen of Mason City; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ottolena on April 11, 1993; his parents; two step-sons, Cornie and Roger VanOort; a sister, Bernadene Smith; a brother, Dale Griffen; and two brothers-in-law, John Smith and Fred Moerke.

©The Garner Leader & Signal 2001