Benjamin F. Elger

OBITUARY for BENJAMIN FRANCIS ELGER, JR.

Benjamin Francis Elger Jr. of Westminster, Colorado passed away July 12, 2024. Ben was born on December 13, 1929, to Benjamin Francis Elger Sr. and Eva Rachel Mede Elger. He was raised in Calhoun, Wisconsin where he worked at his father’s general store (e.g., meat cutting, delivering coal, stocking), first fell in love with baseball and graduated from Waukesha High School. After a year of working at the Borden Company he briefly attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison, before enlisting in the US Air Force during the Korean War. He began basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, TX, with the desire to become a pilot only to discover he was color blind. On June 2, 1951, he married Rachel Ellen Weir, before being shipped overseas headed to Korea, only to be rerouted to France instead.

While on the ship, it was discovered that he was an experienced meat cutter and was immediately assigned this much needed position in his unit. After 2 years in France, he was stationed at McGhee Tyson Air Force Base (National Guard) in Tennessee where he finished his service. Upon his honorable discharge in December,1953, the family returned to Waukesha, WI where Ben enrolled at Carroll College (Carroll University), graduating in spring of 1958 with a Business Administration degree. During this time, he recognized the Call to enter Christian ministry and moved his family to Minneapolis, MN, where he enrolled at Northwestern Theological Seminary (Luther Seminary) and received a Bachelor of Divinity in 1960 and a Master of Divinity in 1971.

For the next 35 years of ministry Ben:

· Organized Transfiguration Lutheran Church and served as the first pastor (1960-1965) in Fenton, Michigan.

· Called to be the pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church (1965-1967) in Lubbock, Texas.

· Called to be the pastor at St. Barnabas Lutheran Church (1967-1970) in Cary, Illinois.

· Called to be associate pastor and later becoming senior pastor at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church; (1970-1978) in Waukesha, WI.

· Organized St. John’s Lutheran Church and served as the first pastor (1978 – 1995) Thornton, Colorado.

· Served 12 years on the Board of Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp, Hillside, CO.

After retiring Ben and Rachel moved to Estes Park, CO to continue their lives together where they built a home and enjoyed the beauty of the mountains. During his retirement he enjoyed many hours hiking, fishing and provided years of pastoral support to many individuals. Throughout his life he enjoyed numerous sports (e.g., baseball – sought after from the Chicago Cubs team in his high school years, basketball, golf, and ice skating). He loved camping and traveling adventures with his family across the U.S. and the world. In 2000, Ben and Rachel moved to Westminster, CO to be closer to family.

Ben never had an enemy. He could make friends with anyone and was always shaking the hand of a stranger. His compassion for whatever community he was in was unending. If one did not know him, it would not take long for them to become friends. Many times (too many for family members) he would share a picture of his pride and joy… literally a picture of Pride and Joy dish soaps! Not surprising to anyone, strangers became instant friends.

Through the years, Ben received love, encouragement and support of his wife of 73 years and children. He is survived by his wife Rachel; children Cynthia (Sheila), Stephen (Joan), David (Anita), and Mary Elger-Lonzarich (David); grandchildren Daniel, Eric, Sara, Brianne, Jessica, Leo and Lydia; and great grandchildren Mila, Clara, Teddy, Tessa, Rory, and Ryan, a brother, Rodney and sister, Sharon.

He was predeceased by brothers, Percy, Raymond, Gerald, Delbert, James, and Elroy. Also, sisters, Lucille, Evelyn, Betty and Audrey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to: – Trinity Lutheran Church – Mission Outreach and/or Hunger www.trinityboulder.org

– Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp www.rainbowtrail.org

Memorial service: August 10,2024 at 1:00, Trinity Lutheran Church, 2200 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302,

The Rev. Dr. Pamela Challis, officiant.

Interment: August 29,2024 at 2:00, Prairie Home Cemetery, Waukesha, Wisconsin 53186; Stephen Elger, officiant.

Stork Morley Funerals & Cremation – Mark Hernandez Funeral Director, 1895 Wadsworth Blvd 303-489-9415 www.storkfamilymortuary.com