Elwood Hill

Elwood J. Hill, known as Cookie, age 81, Crookston, MN, died Friday, May 24, 2013 at home surrounded by his loving family. Elwood was born on August 22, 1931 in St. Paul, MN, son of James and Hattie (Jansen) Hill. He grew up in Crookston and attended public schools here. He attended the ag school here. He farmed from 1948 to 1950 and also worked with the railroad. On September 11, 1950, he entered the US Army in Fargo and served until his discharge on September 11, 1953. While in the army he served in Korea and Germany, receiving a number of decorations, medals and badges: including the KSM (Korea Service Medal), two Bronze Stars, UNSM (United Service Medal), Unit Comm (Unit Command Ribbon), GER, and AOM. He was attached to the MED Det 16th Engr APO 468, serving as a medic. He was united in marriage with Henrietta Vind on April 30, 1955 in East Grand Forks. He returned to the railroad from 1953 to 1960, when he began working for UMC as a stationary engineer. He worked at UMC for 32 years, retiring on March 24, 1992. He also worked with Don Peterson at Crookston Motor & Marine part time. He and Henrietta loved to travel, taking a number of trips to Denmark and traveling throughout the USA. They and their children loved to camp and with family and friends were instrumental in developing Trinity Point. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his kids and also enjoyed fishing trips to Canada with his buddies. He also enjoyed water skiing and teaching many kids to ski at Trinity Point. He had also been downhill skiing in the Alps and skied with the Olympic Team in the Swiss Alps. Elwood was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Eagles Aerie, the American Legion (lifetime) and the VFW (lifetime). He has also served as an RSVP driver. He served as a Cub Scout Pack Leader and Scout Master, was involved with the Sons of Norway, held many offices in Trinity Lutheran Church (he was baptized in the church on Dec. 11, 1955), was involved with Trinity Point, served as Worshipful Master in the Masons. He worked with the Campfire Girls and with others helped organize the first Crookston Reserved Police Officers, which continues today. Elwood is survived by six children: Pam (Fred) Nelson of Fairfield, CA, Susan (Terrance) Hoffert of Fargo, Patty (Dwain) Dillabough of Crookston, Allan Hill of Moorhead, Steven Hill of Crookston, and Robert (Kim) Hill of East Grand Forks; fifteen grandchildren: Troy (Anna) Emard, Trisha Edkin, Joshua (Sarah) Hoffert, Angelene Hoffert, Jamie (Travis) Nicholas, Shannon Dillabough, Katie (Patrick) Regan, Jonathon Dillabough, Michael Dillabough, Alex Dillabough, Tyler Hill, Ryan Hill, Dylan Hill, Amanda (Curtis) Scanson, and Caleb Hill; seven great-grandchildren: Alisa Emard, Hunter & Halle Nicholas, Jada Dillabough, Zachary Hill, Ashlynn & Addison Scanson. He was preceded in death by his parents: James and Hattie; his wife: Henrietta; his siblings: Louis (Janet) Hill, James (Delaine Welsh) Hill, Martha (Melford) Forseth, Willis (Nonie) Hill, and Alice Hill; two grandchildren: Nonnie Lynn Marie Hoffert and Nancy Jean Hoffert. The funeral for Elwood will be at 10:30 AM, Thursday, May 30, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Crookston, with the Rev. Gregory Isaacson officiating. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, Crookston from 5 to 7 PM, Wednesday with a Masonic service at 6:30 PM and a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be for one hour before the service at the church. Military Honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council. Interment will be at Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston.

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Service
Thursday, May 30, 2013
cemetery
Thursday, May 30, 2013