Bernard Elming

Bernard L. Elming, 78, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Saturday, August 15, 2009, at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa.

Bernard Leroy Elming was born June 15, 1931, in Lyons, Nebraska, the son of Roy Bernard and Rose Tina (Carlson) Elming. He was baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian Church in Lyons.

He attended school in Lyons and graduated from high school in 1949. Following graduation, he worked for a short time in sales at Swift and Company before joining the National Guard. Bernard served in the United States Army during the Korean War with a security unit in Africa.
After the service, he was employed by the local food market in Lyons. One day he served a lovely young woman who ultimately came to be his wife. Bernard married Pauline Elaine Millen in the United Methodist Church in Albion, Nebraska, on September 1, 1957. Three sons were born to this union, Gregory Bernard, Mark Millen and Douglas Charles.

Bernard attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He then transferred to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln graduating in 1958. During the next 10 years, he was employed by Hallmark Cards and Kroger Food Stores. The family made several moves during this time.

In 1968 the family moved to Atlantic when Bernard accepted a job with Walnut Grove, eventually becoming the controller. His career kept him there from June of 1968 through November of 1991 when he retired.

Bernard was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served as chairman of the Administrative Board.

Additionally, he was a member of the Atlantic Lions Club where he fulfilled the duty of treasurer for 40 years, was on the Atlantic Municipal Utilities Board since 1993, and was a member of the DAV. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Lyons, Nebraska. When his boys were younger, he was a Cub Scout Master, as well as being on the original founding board of the Atlantic Little League.

Bernard was a hard worker and derived great pride in a job well done. Whatever he did, he did meticulously well. He was a loyal, honest man with notable integrity. His favorite recognizable team was the Nebraska Cornhuskers; his favorite other team was wherever his sons or grandchildren were involved. Primarily, his wife, his sons and his grandchildren were the most important aspect of his life.

Bernard is survived by his wife, Elaine of Atlantic, Iowa; his sons, Gregory (Lisa) Elming of Johnston, Iowa, Mark (Rhonda) Elming of Johnston, Iowa, and Douglas (Laura Moore) Elming of Bennington, VT; his grandchildren, Rebecca, Michael, Chelsea, Paige and Hogan Elming; his sisters, Dorothy (Robert) Smith and Deloris Raabe, all of Lyons, Nebraska; and his sister-in-law, Clarice (William) Millen-Rioux of Mitchellville, Maryland.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Rose Elming, his brother-in-law, Robert Raabe of Lyons, Nebraska, and his aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 19, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic, Iowa, with the Reverend Lanette Plambeck officiating.

Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2009, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Heritage House Good Samaritan Fund, both in Atlantic.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.