Norman Larry Elton

Norman Larry Elton was born at home south of Audubon, April 30, 1939 to Norman Alfred Helmer Elton and Inez Violet (Gullick) Elton. He was born in a log house, the 4th of 6 children.

In 1943 they moved to a farm north of Audubon where he attended country school. He attended Audubon high school, was captain of the football team and graduated in 1957. That fall he went to work for the ND Highway Department. In 1961, he enlisted in the army and was stationed in Virginia. After 3 1/2 years he was honorably discharged at the request of the Highway Department so he could help build I94 in Fargo. He met Anne Lynor Parent the summer of 1965 and they were married July 1966 in Anne’s hometown of Ortonville, MN.

Their son David was born in 1967. After making their home in Fargo for several years they moved to a farm north of Hawley in 1972. Once in Hawley he and Anne became involved with the Hawley Rodeo, Hawley Golden Riders and Stablemates 4H club. Larry was rodeo chairman several times over the years including 1975 when their daughter Amy was born. He retired in 2001.  Larry had a lifelong love of Farmall tractors and horses, training many over the years and showing in local shows and trail rides.  As a Hawley Golden Rider he started volunteering at WMSTR in Rollag every Labor Day and they enjoyed their long weekend there every year.  He and Anne were active members in their community and members of Hawley Lutheran Church. Larry was a member of the Hawley Community Club, Rodeo committee and Legion, helping with Memorial Day services. He was always willing to lend a hand, borrow tools, have a cup of coffee or share a bag of licorice.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters and 1 brother. Larry leaves behind his wife Anne of Hawley, son David & Jennifer Elton, daughter Amy & Ryan Anderson as well as grandchildren Olivia, Ethan, Claire and Abby, as well as sister Donna Callahan, brother Curtis Elton and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 11:00 A.M., with a visitation starting one hour before, at Hawley Lutheran Church, Hawley. Burial will follow at Hawley Cemetery. A livestream of the service will be available here on Larry’s page starting at 11.