In Loving Memory of

Kiel Eugene Eltiste

Kiel Eugene Eltiste was born on the family farm south of Johnson on

July 8, 1918 as the son of Herman A. and Ethyl H. (Kiel) Eltiste. He was

baptized August 25, 1918 at St. John's (Stone) Church by Reverend. Pett and

confirmed into the Lutheran faith March 30, 1947 by Reverend G. K. Wiencke

at the same church. He attended Roosevelt School District 26 and Johnson

High School, graduating with the class of 1936. He furthered his education by

attending Peru State Teacher's College in Peru for 2 years where he earned

a Teacher's Certificate. Kiel taught at Henry Creek School near Peru and at

St. Deroin School near Barada.

He was the first in the draft from Nemaha County to serve his county,

entering service with the U.S. Army from February 1941 to November 1945.

He was with the 34th Infantry in the Southern states. Kiel was discharged from

Camp McArthur at San Diego, California on November 15, 1945 as a

Staff Sergeant with the M. P. Battalion.

Kiel was married to Miss Ora Torbeck, June 21, 1942 by Reverend Dunn in

Las Vegas, Nevada. They made their home in Hollywood, California for

4 years while he served in the army in various camps in California.

To this union four children were born: Kiel Ora, Pamela, Lonnie and Hal.

After being discharged from the service the couple moved to the farm where

Kiel was born. He took up farming, which was to be his life work for the

next 34 years. His favorite hobby was hunting both fowl and big game.

Kiel dearly loved his family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren

and enjoyed their many visits.

For the past 20 years, he and his wife have lived in Johnson and they were

honored to celebrate many wedding anniversaries; the last one was last

June with 58 years.

Kiel had been in failing health many years, but the last couple years he

was housebound a lot of the time and spent different stays at hospitals.

He entered Nemaha County Hospital July 10, and it was there he passed

away on the afternoon of that same day, just two days following his

82nd birthday which had been celebrated by many family

members and friends.

He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Johnson and

American Legion Post #330 of Johnson.

Survivors include his wife Ora of Johnson; sons Kiel Ora and wife Judy

of Fremont; Lonnie and wife Jane of Lincoln; Hal and wife Frances of

Peru; daughter Pamela and husband Richard Harbour of Auburn;

18 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; brother Warren K. Eltiste

of Nebraska City; 2 sister-in-laws Alice Rippe of Auburn; Opal

and husband Dale Eltiste of Tecumseh; and brother-in-law

William C. Kaiser of Phillipsburg, Kansas.

Kiel was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Herman

who was killed in service for his county.