Elmer Harwood

Elmer Delbert Harwood, 91 year-old Grand Lake resident, died Saturday, July 4, 2009 at Rosewood Terrace in Vinita. He was born December 4, 1917 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Elmer spent his early years growing up on a ranch in Montana, his family moved to Humboldt Kansas in 1925, where he graduated high school in 1937. He married Marjorie Casper on May 25, 1942; they celebrated being married 68 years in May of this year. Elmer proudly served his country during World War II in General Patton's Third Army and earned all 5 battle stars of the European campaign. After the war he returned Humboldt and continued to operate his own grocery store until he went to work at Monarch Cement Company in 1959, he retired from their in August of 1979 after 20 years of service and moved to Grand Lake. He and Marge became fixtures in the Grand Lake community over the next 30 years. Elmer worked various jobs at Arrowhead Yacht Club and the Ketchum United Methodist Church, almost until the time of his passing. Elmer loved boats, boating and Grand Lake. Elmer and Marge bought their first place on Grand Lake in 1953. He was a wonderful husband, father, church and choir member. Was well liked and will be greatly missed. His morals, hard work, honesty, and kind heart made him very much a part of the "Greatest Generation" that endured the Great Depression, the Second World War, and helping build this country into one of the greatest known to civilization. His life is his legacy and he led a wonderful life. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Dale Harwood. He is survived by one sister, Hazel Parsons of Waco, Texas, his wife Marjorie Harwood of Grand Lake, three sons, Dan Harwood and wife Darlene of Owasso, Robert Harwood and wife Susan of Chanute, Kansas, and Joe Harwood of Grand Lake; four grandsons, two granddaughters and one great-grandson and one great-granddaughter; a sister in-law Ardith Harwood of Atlanta, Georgia. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Luginbuel South Grand Lake Funeral Home of Langley. The funeral will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the Ketchum United Methodist Church, with Pastors Diana Bradford and Carl Hamilton officiating. Military rites and interment will follow at the McLaughlin Cemetery near Cleora. The family request that preferred memorials be made to the Ketchum United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel South Grand Lake Funeral Home of Langley.

Service Details

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 1:00pm, Ketchum United Methodist Church

Interment Details

McLaughlin Cemetery