Elling Decker Goplerud

CHARLES CITY, Iowa - Elling D. Goplerud, 82, of 304 Charles St. in Charles City died on Friday, (January 11, 2008) at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City.

Memorial Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, (January 21,  2008) at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 S. Main St. in Charles City, with Rev. Dennis Niezwaag and Rev. David Werges officiating. Cremation has taken place in the care of Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home. Private family inurnment will be in the Osage Cemetery at a later date.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. Monday at the church.

In lieu of flowers those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 S. Main St., Charles City, IA 50616 or Hospice of North Iowa, Charles City Satelite, 1003 Gilbert. St., Charles City, IA 50616.

Condolences, stories or thoughts may be sent to the family in the care of Fullerton Funeral Home on line at www.fullertonfh.com.

Elling Decker Goplerud was born in Osage, IA on January 10, 1926 Gerhard and Vesta (Decker) Goplerud. Following his graduation from the Osage High School, Elling was inducted into the Army Infantry, 41st Division on July 29, 1944. He served with the Phillipine Liberation Army and immediately thereafter with the Army of occupation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Following his honorable discharge in 1946 he worked briefly at the Oliver Farm Equipment in Charles City before attending Barber College in Cedar Rapids, IA. Elling began his 58 year barbering career in Lawler, IA before moving to Charles City. On June 10, 1951 he was united in marriage to Helen Nysven in Strum, WI. They were blessed with three children, Gregg of Cedar Falls, IA, Brad (Donna) of Elgin, IL and Rebecca (Rick Carrillo) of Rock Springs, WY.

Elling was known by many as the “cookie man” because of his love for baking and candy making and sharing with others. His roses and flower gardens were also enjoyed by many. He enjoyed his golfing and coffee buddies, playing cards and bingo, tole painting and crafts. In earlier years he was active in the American Legion, Jaycees, Sons of Norway, the Sheriffs’ Reserve and many church activities.

Elling is survived by his wife, Helen; their children, and three grandchildren, Matthew, Amy and Kathryn “Katie” Goplerud; his sister, Norma Cummins of Kendal , England; a sister-in-law, Alyce Goplerud of Asheville, N.C.; 7 step brothers and sisters, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Those preceding him in death were his parents; one brother, Sterling Goplerud and brother-in-law, Andrew Cummins.   

Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Blunt St., Charles City, IA.  (641)228-4211. www.fullertonfh.com