Thomas Scott ELKIN

ELKIN, CHAMPLIN, RIEMENSCHNEIDER, MCCUDDIN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/5/2017 at 16:03:45

October 11, 1949 --- December 19, 2016

Thomas Scott Elkin, 67, of Perham, MN died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning on Monday, December 19. He was putting the finishing touches on his retirement workshop on his Sybil Lake property, located near Vergas, MN, when the tragedy occurred.

Tom was born on October 11, 1949, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Elmer and Margaret Elkin. He graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1968; he went on to obtain a degree in advertising design from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. After a brief stint as a graphic designer at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (now Rockwell International), he moved to northwest Minnesota and soon became an accomplished cabinetmaker. He located his shop in New York Mills, following the trail created by his lifelong friend from Iowa State, Alan Linda (aka The Prairie Spy). He had just retired and was looking forward to "making sawdust" in his new shop.

Tom was a simple man of deep faith, admired by many. He was a man of his word who appreciated the little things of life and never failed to acknowledge even the smallest blessing. While he made beautiful cabinets and furniture pieces, he also gloried in creating a delicious loaf of bread, tending to his flowers, and grooming his beloved Sybil Lake property. He was not a man who wanted recognition or fame; he vigorously resisted being in the spotlight. His grandchildren were precious to him and they knew that G'pa Tom was a constant source of mischief and fantasy.

In 1987, he married his high school sweetheart, Teresa Champlin, 20 years after they had gone to the prom together. He and Teresa treasured every day together and were often described as two peas in a pod. They loved opening their home to one and all. He is survived by his wife Teresa of Perham, son Jack and his wife Amanda, along with three grandchildren (Vivian, Ronan, and Audrey), of Eden Prairie, MN. He is also survived by his mother, Margaret Elkin, and brother Mark, both of Eagle Grove, IA; sisters Holly (Tom) Riemenschneider of Webster City, IA, and Heidi (David) McCuddin of Des Moines, IA, along with numerous nieces and nephews. A private service will be held at St Henry's Catholic Church in Perham.

http://www.perhamfocus.com/obituaries/4187481-thomas-s-elkin

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VERGAS, Minn. - A man is dead and a handful of others sickened after being overcome by carbon monoxide Monday near Perham.

A spokesman for the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Department says the 67-year-old homeowner was alone in a shop he built on the couple's property in rural Vergas when his wife discovered him around 7 p.m. Monday and immediately called 911. Several friends of the family have identified the victim as Tom Elkin, a retired cabinet maker. "Our staff went to the scene of what we thought was a routine medical, when they got there they started feeling ill and realized pretty quickly that they were dealing with carbon monoxide poisoning," said Chuck Hofius, CEO of Perham Health.

The victim never regained consciousness, and the wife and three emergency responders were overcome themselves by high levels of carbon monoxide. They were airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) and treated in the hyperbaric chamber. The wife is listed in satisfactory condition and the EMS responders have been released from the hospital.

The Otter Tail County Sheriff said they believe the carbon monoxide came from a boiler for an in-floor heating system after an exhaust pipe was blocked by ice.

"They don't call it the silent killer for nothing," Sheriff Brian Schlueter said.

Otter Tail County Sheriff's Lt. Keith Van Dyke says two deputies and two firefighters suffered minor cases of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning. The sheriff's office and Minnesota State Patrol reports a trooper was treated and released at Perham Hospital. The hospital says it does not have any record of a trooper receiving treatment. “Our hearts go out to our first responders and their families,” said Hofius, “Each time EMS personnel go on a call, we know there is risk and worry for their safety. I am so proud of everyone at Perham health - from the EMS crew on the scene to the staff in the emergency department who responded so quickly to the many other employees that came in from home to help. They did an incredible job in a very scary situation.”

http://www.kare11.com/news/carbon-monoxide-kills-1-overcomes-others-in-perham/375214968