Elmer VanMoorlehem

Elmer VanMoorlehem, age 101, of Canby, Minnesota passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at his home in Brainerd, Minnesota. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, at the Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel in Canby with a 7 p.m. Rosary. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Canby. Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel of Canby has been entrusted with the arrangements.
On June 5, 2025, our father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Elmer VanMoorlehem, died peacefully. He was 101.
Elmer was born to Marie (Bogard) and Gus VanMoorlehem on December 14, 1923. He was the 13th of 14 children. He grew up near Huron, South Dakota, and attended school through eighth grade at which time he worked along with other family members to earn money for the family. On November 22, 1947, Elmer married Betty Lund in Minneota, Minnesota. During their marriage he farmed near Minneota, Huron and Canby. Elmer was a hard worker and put his family first doing what he thought best for them. He supplemented farming with mechanic work as well as road construction. He was resourceful and prided himself on being able to fix ‘almost anything’. In 1981 they retired from farming and built their dream home in Canby. He bought a shop and continued with one of his favorite hobbies, mechanics, fixing lawn mowers, etc. Upon sale of the shop, he turned their garden shed into a little shop in case he needed to fix something. While living in their home, he always had a big, beautiful garden and enjoyed it immensely. Any extra vegetables he was happy to give away to neighbors and friends. In September 2019, they moved to Lebens Raum apartments in Canby. In January 2024 they moved to Good Samaritan apartments in Brainerd to be closer to family.
Elmer was dedicated to his family and would give the shirt off his back if they needed it. Eager to help any way he could with the dream to see his children succeed.
As a grandfather, he is remembered for his stories of ‘old days’. He had a very sharp mind that he kept through the end.
Elmer is survived by his wife of 77 years, Betty, and their children: Jim VanMoorlehem of Shell Lake, Wisconsin; Sandy (Tom) Lambert of Keller, Texas; Janice (Doug) St. Aubin of Brainerd; Doug (Sue) VanMoorlehem of Pipestone, Minnesota; Brenda (Gary) Manes of Washburn, North Dakota; Barb (Bill) Otterson of Goodyear, Arizona; and Darlene (Ray) Gonnerman of Yelm, Washington. He also leaves behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Elmer will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Peggy (Jeff) Athman; grandson, Mark Lambert; great-grandson, Brandon Strom; his parents, and all 13 of his siblings.
Memorials are preferred to St. Peter's Catholic School.