Donald Merton Elias

DONALD MERTON ELIAS
The funeral service for Donald Merton Elias will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 18, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 104 1st Street SE in Hayfield with Reverend Richard Hegal officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield.
Donald Merton Elias, 92, of Hayfield, MN passed away on June 15, 2015, at Field Crest Care Center in Hayfield.
Donald Merton Elias was born on August 7, 1922, the son of William and Marion (Moe) Elias in Hayfield, MN. In his early years, he worked on the family's farm. After graduating from Hayfield High School in 1940, he worked for the Chicago Great Western Railroad. He met his wife, Glee Mary Protextor, in Dodge Center and they were married in 1944, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hayfield. In 1951, he started working for Geo. A Hormel in Austin, MN, where he retired after 33 years. Donald contributed to the community by volunteering many hours to the Hayfield Fire Department. He was Fire Chief for several years and was very proud and honored to be elected to this position. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served as the Church Treasurer for many years and sang in the Choir. Donald had a passion for gardening. He was known by many Hayfield residence for sharing his abundant vegetables. Also, he was an avid fisherman. He spent many summers fishing walleye on Mille Lacs Lake.
He leaves a son, Douglas (Beverly) Elias, Glencoe, MN, daughter, Barbara Bakkedahl (Lowell), Sargeant, MN and daughter, Nancy Klassen (David) Rochester, MN, 6 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren and a sister, Ruth Lundquist, Minneapolis, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Glee; son, William; two brothers, Lawrence and David; one great-great grandchild.

Blessed be his memory.