Elmer Anhalt

Elmer Osmond Anhalt was born February 11, 1919 near Westby, MT the son of William and Anne (Larson) Anhalt. Elmer was raised and schooled at Westby where he graduated from high school in 1936. Following his schooling he continued working on the family farm. On June 11, 1944 Elmer was united in marriage to Lillian Thompson. They were blessed with three children Dennis, David and Darlene. In 1946 the couple moved to Minneapolis where Elmer attended Augsburg College. After graduating in 1950 Elmer attended the Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul and was ordained on June 21, 1953. From 1953-57 Reverend Anhalt served in Minnewaukan, ND, later serving Buxton, ND from 1957-65 and retired from active ministry after serving in Hendrum, MN from 1965-83. Parish ministry was just one aspect of Elmer?s service to the church. He enjoyed working with youth and focused on youth ministry wherever he could. He was also very active in the Lutheran Evangelical Movement. He was often called on as a mission preacher to serve the LEM, ALC and ELC. He traveled on mission trips throughout the Midwest and Canada and at several Native American reservations. Elmer was a member of the LEM board for six years and was also involved in the Deeper Life Bible Camp near Paynesville, MN. Elmer loved life on the lake. Every year he brought his family to Lake Carlos State Park and Mount Carmel Bible Camp. In 1959 he bought land on Lake Carlos where he built a home. Following his retirement in 1983 Elmer and Lillian became full-time residents on Lake Carlos. He loved taking family and guests out on Lake Carlos in his pontoon boat. Elmer also enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening. He did carpentry work and helped his family out with projects. Elmer was also an accomplished mechanic. In his younger years Elmer enjoyed music and played a mean accordion. Elmer was active in the Retired Pastors and Spouses. On Friday, August 28, 2009 Elmer died at the age of ninety years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian; one brother, Harold Anhalt; and two sisters, Alpha Mitchell and Stacey Rierson. Elmer is survived by his three children Dennis and wife, Kerry Anhalt, of Alexandria, David and wife, Tricia Anhalt, of St. Cloud, and Darlene Gunkel of Minneapolis, grandchildren, Arika Johnson, Alivia Wamboldt, Leia Syvertson, Matthew Anhalt, Nathan Gunkel, and Kevin Gunkel, and great-grandchildren, Makenzie Gunkel, Annika Syvertson, and Isaac and Hunter Infanger. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2009, at 10:30 AM at the Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Rev. Don Reising, Rev. Loren Spaulding and Rev. James Oakland officiating. Music will be provided by organist Mark Graf and vocalists Jonathan and Carol Ydstie. Interment will be in the Carlos Prairie Cemetery with Nathan Gunkel, Kevin Gunkel, Matthew Anhalt, Dale Anhalt, Myron Anhalt and Jim Mamer serving as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers include Karen Mamer, Marilyn Footh, Darlene Anhalt, LaVonne Anhalt and Yvonne Shafer. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.