Eldon Wellberg

ELDON WELLBERG was born on July 17, 1951, to Edward and Jeanette (Sutherland) Wellberg in Tyler, Minnesota. Eldon was raised on the family farm 4 miles west of Tyler. He graduated from Tyler High School in 1969. In his younger years, “Eldie” enjoyed fishing and was manager of Mel's Place softball team, keeping score and earning the nickname of “Doc.” He never missed a game and traveled with the team to tournaments. In 2003, Eldon acquired the house at 104 Oak Street in Tyler, his Mother’s house from the Wellberg estate. In addition to his farming background, Eldon furthered his education at Canby Vo-Tech where he studied auto mechanics. He put his skills to use while working at Tyler Auto Parts and DeBoer Motors of Tyler. The majority of Eldon’s career was spent with Olson & Johnson in Marshall, Minnesota where he began working on February 10, 1981, and retired on September 23, 2016. The day following Eldon’s 68th birthday, he passed away peacefully at the Pipestone County Hospice House in Pipestone, Minnesota.

Eldon was currently a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tyler. He was a big supporter of the Tyler Rod and Gun Club ever since it was started back up in 1982. He served as the treasurer of the club continuously after the initial years. The club has sponsored youth firearm safety classes every fall since its opening and Eldon has instructed each of the 36 years. An annual event of the Tyler Rod and Gun Club is the Good Friday Fish Fry for which Eldon was always responsible for his role in financial organization. In 2002, the club opened the Tyler Area Gun Range and Eldon was not only charged with the duty of maintaining and updating the website, but also was instrumental in the smooth operation of the range itself. As much as Eldon appreciated the gun club, the members continue to appreciate Eldon and his work.

Eldon had many interests outside of the club as well, including tinkering with cars, antique collecting, driving his El Camino and Chevy convertible, playing cards, attending auctions, and reading. The Showboat was a favorite place to go on Saturday nights to enjoy a few drinks with friends and sometimes do a little dancing. Afterwards, he would even occasionally watch the beautiful Sunday sunrises before going to his mother’s for chicken dinner. Recently, Eldon looked forward to going out for supper at the Knotty Pine Restaurant with his friends. Eldon enjoyed playing cards on Saturdays with friends, some evenings turning into poker. His sisters, nephews and nieces will always remember the photo calendars of old barns, and in particular, his friend’s trail cam photo calendars capturing local wildlife. Eldon was admired for setting aside tracts of the Wellberg land for conservation with Pheasants Forever by re-establishing native prairie grasses and for embracing wind energy. He had a close connection to that land, and the history of it. Eldon was a big man with a big heart who listened attentively, answered straight to the heart of the matter, and had great attention to detail. Characteristics that come to mind when thinking of him include, generous, unselfish, smart, caring, jovial, honest, hard-working, and of course he had a great sense of humor. He always enjoyed talking about his trips to South Dakota, and Arizona. Eldon loved people, and everyone loved Eldon! He will be truly missed.

He will be remembered by his sisters, Betty Rogge of Manteno, Illinois and Naomi Tsantir (Kostas Tsantir) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; nieces and nephews Connie Rogge, Paul Rogge, Pam Jentsch, Michael Rogge, Tim Rogge, Anna Tsantir, Tom Rogge, and Dean Tsantir; and countless close friends.

God bless Eldon and welcome him home.