Elmer Joseph Baggenstoss • 1916 - 2004

Elmer Joseph Baggenstoss, 88, Minot, passed away Friday, August 27, 2004, at Trinity Hospital in Minot.

Elmer was born in Lansford, North Dakota, on March 18, 1916, to Gottleib and Mary (Kupfer) Baggenstoss. He attended Lansford Public School and graduated in 1934.

He entered the Civilian Conservation Corps. and worked at Watford City and other camps from the summer of 1934 to the spring of 1937. He worked as a blacksmith, having learned the trade from his father.

Elmer and his brother Art left for California in 1937 to look for work during the depression. He worked at various jobs and on February 3, 1940, he married Isabelle Roberts from the Hurd and Eckman, ND areas, in Los Angeles, CA. They made their home in California. Later, he went to work as a civilian machinist for the government in Ireland during World War II.

After the war he returned to California, and he and Isabelle started Valley Machine Co. They continued in business until his retirement.

In the late 40's he built their house in Arcadia, CA. After retiring, they moved to Carson City, NV, and later to Hesperia, CA. In 1995 they decided to return to North Dakota to be closer to family members. Isabelle passed away on December 10, 1997.

Elmer enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting and horseshoes. He could fix almost anything and spent his last few years repairing mantle clocks. He was a wonderful husband, brother, uncle, and friend. Elmer was blessed to have his special caregiver, Adeline Norheim.

Elmer was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.

He is survived by his brother, Arthur Baggenstoss, Minot, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Isabelle, his parents, brothers, Raymond and Donald, and sisters, Elsie Zimny, Etta Johnston, Gertrude Helming, and Helen Sidener, Jr.

Funeral Mass: Wednesday, September 1, 2004, at 11:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot, ND.

Visitation and vigil prayer service: Visitation, Tuesday, August 31, 2004, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the vigil prayer service Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., all at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, ND.

Burial: Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., at St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Lansford, ND.

Celebrant of the Liturgies: Elmer's friend, Father Frank Schuster Pastor at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Kenmare, ND

Lector: Steve Sidener

Music: Anita Mattson, vocalist
Processional, "Be Not Afraid"
Offertory, "How Great Thou Art"
Taped solo by Arthur Baggenstoss
Communion, "Gift Of Finest Wheat"
"Song Of Farewell"
Recessional, "On Eagles Wings"
Jeanne Artz, organist

Active Bearers: Terry Roberts, Pat Limke, Mike Sidener, Mark Helming, Robert Zimny, Casey Sidener

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