Elliott, Harold D. 1911-2004

ELLIOTT, GILLASPIE, SANDERS, OLSON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/16/2005 at 14:42:29

Harold D. Elliott

Newton (Iowa) Daily News, Thursday, March 25, 2004

DES MOINES -- Harold Dale Elliott, 92, of Ramsey House in Des Moines, formerly of Newton, died Monday, March 22, at Mercy Capital Hospital in Des Moines.

His love of teaching motivated him to donate his remains to Des Moines University.

A memorial service will be held Monday, April 5, at 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Newton.

The son of Charles Clarence Elliott and Iva Pearl (Gillaspie) Elliott, he was born Dec. 8, 1911, on a farm near Deep River in Poweshiek County.

He graduated from Deep River High School in 1930 and received a bachelor of arts degree from William Penn College in Oskaloosa in 1934 and a master of science degree in 1959 from the University of Northern Iowa. He furthered his education by attending South Dakota State University, Iowa State University, North Texas State University and Knox College.

On Nov. 9, 1934, he married Marjorie Marie Sanders in Montezuma.

He taught school at Deep River, Hartwick, Solon and Nevada, before coming to Newton where he taught physics for 36 years. He also coached various athletics within the school system and worked his summer months for the Iowa Crop Improvement Association from 1943 to 1976.

In retirement, he and his wife operated Elliott's Aquatic Wonderland, a retail outlet for tropical fish enthusiasts, and taught ballroom dancing throughout Iowa.

Survivors include a daughter, Sonja Olson of West Des Moines; a son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Shirley Elliott of Maxwell; a granddaughter; and a great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, two brothers, a sister, and an infant son, Rodney Lee.