Funeral services for Elmer Earl Lindell, 92, Lawrence, will be at 10 am Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Cremation will follow, and private inurnment will be at a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery. He passed away June 13, 2014, at his home after fighting a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Elmer was born January 23, 1922, in Lone Star, Kansas, the son of August and Mattie (Lutz) Lindell. After graduating from Liberty Memorial High School in 1941, Elmer enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served at Leyte Island and Okinawa during World War II. Elmer received a bronze star for heroism on the invasion of Leyte Island and reached the rank of 1st Sergeant in the 321st Division of the Combat Engineers, attached to the 96th Infantry (Deadeyes) during his term of service.
Upon returning to Lawrence from his military service, Elmer worked for the Kansas Power & Light Company, where he met Bertha Jean (Bertie) Crabtree. They were married in Lawrence, Kansas, on April 30, 1948, and spent 60 years together. He was employed by the Kansas Color Press, where he was a press and maintenance worker until his retirement in 1988. Elmer was a devoted Studebaker fan and drove his prized 1950 tan Studebaker Truck for over 34 years to work. He has been a member of the Kaw Valley Studebaker club for over 35 years and was an avid bowler, bowling in several leagues over the years. Mr. Lindell was a long-time member of the American Legion, VFW, 40 & 8, Elks, and Eagles organizations. Elmer never knew a stranger and visits with him was always an adventure in history, especially if you were able to take a tour of his garage of nostalgia. His smile and humor were contagious and changed the atmosphere wherever he was.
Elmer was preceded in death by his first wife, Bertie, his parents, a brother Charles Lindell, and one sister, Ruby Hjaltalin. He is survived by his current wife, Hazel Rew, a daughter Connie Lindell Hackett (Tony), Baldwin City; and a son, Larry (Cindy) of Louisville, Kentucky; two sisters, Ann Ellis, Huntsville, Alabama & Martha Mason, Lincoln, California; two grandsons, Davis & Brian Lindell, Louisville, Kentucky; a step-daughter, Janet Enyart, St. Joseph, Missouri; a step-son, Dan Rew, Lawrence; one step-grandson; four step-granddaughters; nine step-great-grandchildren; and his many beloved nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 8am to 8 pm Monday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 6 to 8:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in his name to the Dorsey-Liberty American Legion Post #14 or the Visiting Nurses Hospice of Douglas County, sent in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.
