Elmer VanMoorlehem, age 101, of Canby, MN passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at his home in Brainerd, MN. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, June 19th at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby, MN. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7pm on Wednesday, June 18th at the Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel in Canby with a 7pm prayer service. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Canby, MN. Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel of Canby, MN has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Elmer was born to Marie (Bogard) and Gus VanMoorlehem on December 14, 1923. He was the 13th of 14 children. He grew up near Huron, SD and attended school through eighth grade at which time he worked along with other family members to earn money for the family. On November 22, 1947, Elmer married Betty Lund in Minneota, MN. During their marriage he farmed near Minneota, Huron, SD, and Canby, MN. Elmer was a hard worker and put his family first doing what he thought best for them. He supplemented farming with mechanic work as well as road construction. He was resourceful and prided himself on being able to fix ‘almost anything’. In 1981 they retired from farming and built their dream home in Canby. He bought a shop and continued with one of his favorite hobbies, mechanics, fixing lawn mowers, etc. Upon sale of the shop, he turned their garden shed into a little shop in case he needed to fix something. While living in their home he always had a big, beautiful garden and enjoyed it immensely. Any extra vegetables he was happy to give away to neighbors and friends. In September 2019, they moved to Lebens Raum apartments in Canby. In January 2024 they moved to Good Samaritan apartments in Brainerd, MN to be closer to family. Elmer was dedicated to his family and would give his shirt off his back if they needed it. Eager to help any way he could with the dream to see his children succeed. As a grandfather, he is remembered for his stories of ‘old days’. He had a very sharp mind that he kept through the end. On June 5, 2025, our father, grandfather and great grandfather, Elmer VanMoorlehem, died peacefully. He was 101.
Elmer is survived by his wife of 77 years, Betty; his children: Jim VanMoorlehem, Shell Lake, WI; Sandy (Tom) Lambert, Keller, TX; Janice (Doug) St. Aubin, Brainerd, MN; Doug (Sue) VanMoorlehem, Pipestone, MN; Brenda (Gary) Manes, Washburn, ND; Barb (Bill) Otterson, Goodyear, AZ; and Darlene (Ray) Gonnerman, Yelm, WA; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Elmer will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by his daughter Peggy (Jeff) Athman; grandson Mark Lambert; great grandson Brandon Strom; his parents and all 13 siblings.
