Book of Memories for Elwyn Francis Elerding

Story shared: Mountain Man

Sat, 07 May 2016 16:20:44 EDT

I met this wonderful man one spring day during a hike on Mt. Si and he changed my life forever. El felt deeply about things. He was courageous and would backpack for weeks at a time into the Wilderness . He always gave to others and was a selfless man. It was an honor and privlege knowing him and I will never forget his smile and tears. May his soul rest in peace eternally. Until we meet again one day Mountain Man.

Story shared: Ode To My Blonde - Dedicated to Betty Rokes

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 13:30:43 EDT

I love her hair that sparkles of gold,

That waves so freely, gay and bold.

It tosses with each motion of the air,

Yet is left untouched with artist's care.

I love to look at it in the rain,

For those beautiful tresses remain the same.

And by the moonlight's glow in the night,

It remains immortal, the sight of sights.

I love the feel and touch of it's silken splendor,

The feel that makes me want to surrender.

For it's her hair that ties our bond,

And makes me write an, "Ode To My Blond".

Story shared: "A Letter With Love"

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 09:40:00 EDT

(this was another poem, handwritten, that i found in his navy box of memories)

"A Letter With Love"

I try to pass my mail box
and hold my head real high.
I know there's not a letter there
And oh, I want to cry.
If you only knew my longing
To have a note from you.
Perhaps you'd write more often
The way I want you to.
A letter's such a small thing,
But it's bigger than the sea.
When it's one that you have
written and sent with love to me!

Photo shared: IMG_1280.JPG

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 07:23:22 EDT

another mountain shot with david, laura, dad, bonnie and nancy. again do not know location or date.

Photo shared: IMG_0668.JPG

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 07:20:55 EDT

alexander and dad - father's day 2010

Photo shared: IMG_1279.JPG

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 07:20:55 EDT

a picture of a picture. dad with david, steve, nancy and laura. don't know the year or location.

Photo shared: IMG_0666.JPG

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 07:14:09 EDT

father's day 2010 at dirty daves (nancy, alex, step,alexander, dad, david, blake and alejandra)

Photo shared: IMG_0665.JPG

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 07:08:57 EDT

celebrating father's day at dirty daves (dad, david, blake, alejandra, nancy, alex, steph and alexander)

Photo shared: alex and dad.jpg

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 06:57:50 EDT

Photo shared: DSC02040.JPG

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 06:55:34 EDT

dad and blake - thanksgiving 2012

Photo shared: DSC02039.JPG

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 06:54:09 EDT

me and dad - thanksgiving 2012

Photo shared: DSC02036.JPG

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 06:52:56 EDT

laura, dad, david and me (shot 1) thanksgiving 2012

Photo shared: DSC02037.JPG

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 06:48:32 EDT

laura, dad, david and me (shot 2)

Photo shared: DSC02034.JPG

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 06:48:28 EDT

laura and dad thanksgiving 2012

Photo shared: dadmebrian.JPG

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 06:45:08 EDT

dad, me and brian before our wedding 1/19/2007

Photo shared: alex and dad.jpg

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 06:45:08 EDT

Photo shared: family mine dad andlaua.JPG

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 06:45:08 EDT

Condolence From bonnie elerding elwess

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 05:38:02 EDT

it was suggested that i share what i posted on my facebook page about my dad. it was quickly written after i had been reading articles and looking at pictures from boxes i had stored after my dad moved from his apartment in tacoma to arline's in fircrest. i'm sure i'll have more to share the more i read. here is my post: September 1 at 6:09pm my dad, elwyn elerding, passed away at 7am this morning at saint peter's hospital in lacey. he would have been 92 on november 21. my dad was a mountaineer, downhill skier (with many accolades and articles of his accomplishments in both careers) and hiker. he also graduated from the san francisco college of mortuary science in 1951, attended the university of washington, served in the u.s. navy during the war in 1945 (don't know his exact service dates) receiving the american area medal, asiatic-pacific theatre and world war II victory medal. he settled on a career in the u.s. forest service first as a ranger, forest fire fighter and as a purchasing agent in olympia. he lived a very long life, but it is still an amazing sense of loss at his passing. it is also made so much more difficult when the elderly suffer from dementia and arterial issues that make this time so traumatizing. he was listed as "failure to thrive" and was on pallative care in the hospital. they tried to make him comfortable as they could with pain medication, but he was no longer eating or drinking water. thank god he left this world for the next one relatively soon after he was admitted to the hospital (on saturday i believe). thank god you are at peace and without pain and are with mom, brother steve, uncle les, aunt norma and everyone else. now is your time to rejoice and take in all that the next life has to offer. i love you dad.

Condolence From Georgette Hiles

Sun, 06 Sep 2015 00:30:04 EDT

Great sympathy to the family in your loss of your Dad, Grandfather. I had the pleasure of working with your Dad in Olympia for the Olympic National Forest from 1976 - 1980. He was a great mentor during my time as supply clerk.

Photo shared: image.jpg

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 19:51:35 EDT

Photo shared: image.jpg

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 19:51:35 EDT

Photo shared: image.jpg

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 19:51:35 EDT

Condolence From Marvin Reiner

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 14:49:07 EDT

Elwyn and I grew up together in Aberdeen and were good friends thru high school. We regret missing him for our last Class of 41 gathering at my home in Olympia last year. Our condolences to his family. Marv Reiner

Photo shared: ElerdingEphoto.jpg

Wed, 02 Sep 2015 05:35:25 EDT