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Vencile "Vence" Elgie • 1923- 2009 Vencile “Vence” C. Elgie was born February 11, 1923, a son of Charles and Hilma (Mogren) Elgie, in Kenmare, ND. He was raised and educated in Kenmare and graduated from Kenmare High School in 1942. While in high school, he participated and lettered in football, basketball, and track. Vence enrolled at Minot State College in the fall of 1942, but his schooling was interrupted by World War II. He enlisted in the United States Army March 11, 1943. He proudly served his country during the European Theater Operation in Germany for 18 months. He was awarded two battlestars, a certificated of merit, and a good conduct medal. He was honorably discharged March 6, 1946. In the fall of 1946, he returned to Minot State College where he participated on the football team and was a member of the 1946 and 1948 championship teams. In the spring of 1949, he graduated with a degree in Physical Education, History, and Social Studies. Upon his graduation, he accepted a teaching and coaching position at Stanley High School, Stanley, ND. He remained there for three years before moving to Minot Model School in the fall of 1952. His 1953 basketball team won the State Class B title, going undefeated. This team was named, Team of the Year by the ND Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. It was during this time he met and married Donna M. Stalwick August 21, 1953. She was and continued to be his number one supporter for 56 years. To this union, Vence and Donna had three children, Karen, Michael and Debra. In 1955, he received his Masters Degree in Physical Education from the University of He began his tenure at Minot State in 1956 as an assistant football coach and freshman basketball coach. In 1957, he was named head football coach and remained the coach for the next eight years. His 1962 team was the conference champions. In 1967, he became Athletic Director and the Physical Education Department Chairman. He resigned the Athletic Director position in 1975, but remained Chairman of the Division of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation until his retirement in the spring of 1985, after 33 years of service to Minot State. Upon his retirement, he was granted Professor Emeritus. In 1988, he was inducted in to the Minot State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In September of 2009, he received the highly esteemed Golden Award from MSU. Vence was an avid supporter of sports and enjoyed sharing his love of the game with numerous young men even after his retirement. He volunteered his time with the Minot State, Minot High School, and Bishop Ryan High School Football teams. He especially enjoyed watching his son and grandsons participate in sports and he always had a tip to help improve their game. Two of his favorite pastimes during his retirement were spending time at Lake Metigoshe and golfing with his friends. Vence was a member of several professional, fraternal, and community organizations which included: NDEA; the Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; the ND Coaches Association (lifetime member), ND Parks and Recreation; American Football Association; MSU Beaver Boosters; the Phi Epsilon Kappa Fraternity and was an Advisor of Mu Sigma Tau Fraternity. He was a Charter member of the Colin Brown Y’s Men Club, Elks Club, Eagles Aerie, VFW Post # 753, and American Legion Post # 26, all of Minot. He was also a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Minot. His loving family includes: wife of 56 years, Donna; three children whom include: son, Michael, his wife, Tammy, and their two sons, Zac and Luke; daughter, Debra, her husband, Jerry Oberholtzer, and their two sons, Jeff and Dan; and daughter, Karen Morkve, and her two daughters, Lindsey (Brian) Rudolph, and Melissa Bjornson; and two great-grandsons; sisters-in-law, Ardell Boyeff and Eileen Collins; and numerous nieces, and nephews. Officiating Clergy Pastor John Streccius and Pastor Ken Nelson Final Resting Place Rosehill Memorial Park ~ Minot, North Dakota Military honors accorded by the ND National Funeral Honor Guard. Immediately following the funeral service, please join the family
for a time of fellowship in the basement of the church. To sign the online guest
register for Vence |
Vence Elgie, 86, Minot, ND, passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2009, in a Minot nursing home.
Oregon.