Obituary for Burnham Theodore "Rocky" Elton
A mass of Christian burial for Burnham “Rocky” Theodore Elton, age 87, will be on Thursday, June 3rd at 10:30 a.m. (with a visitation at 9:30 a.m.), at St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Richfield, Minnesota. Rocky passed away peacefully with family by his side on May 25, 2021. There will be a visitation on Wednesday, June 2nd from 5-8 p.m. at the Gill Brothers Funeral Home in Bloomington. The burial, a military service with honors, will take place at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery on June 3 at 12:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life Reception will then occur at 1:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Grand Hall, (the Bloomington Event Center).
Rocky was born on June 10, 1933 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota to Oscar and Emilia (Berglund) Elton. Burnham grew up and graduated from Fergus Falls High School. He attended the University of Minnesota where he was a 4 year starter for the Gopher football team, graduating in 1954. He was then commissioned into the U.S. Air Force.
He married Marian Eisterhold on May 14, 1955 in Minneapolis at St. Kevin’s Catholic Church. He was a devoted and loving husband to Marian for 66 years. Rocky served both active duty and as a reserve pilot for the U.S. Air Force retiring in 1983 as a lieutenant colonel.
Rocky was a dedicated teacher of American History and football coach in Fergus Falls and in the Bloomington School District for 34 years. Rocky’s enthusiastic teaching and coaching style endeared him to countless students and athletes over these years.
Rocky had a unique gift for making others feel loved and cared for. He was an engaging and charismatic story teller who loved his family deeply. Rocky was very creative and enjoyed a multitude of hobbies including wood carving, wine making and reading. He enjoyed the outdoors and especially loved to fish, hunt and canoe. He also took pleasure in raising and racing homing pigeons and was a member for many years of the Twin Cities Racing Pigeon Club. Rocky was an active member and usher at St. Richard’s Catholic Church and served with the Knights of Columbus.
Above all, Rocky’s family and friends meant the world to him and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include Rocky’s wife, Marian; children John (Joan) of St. Cloud, Thomas (Mollibeth), of Eagle River, Alaska; grandchildren, Melody (Justin), Mira (Jim), Ted, Andrew (Jessica), Elizabeth (Scott), Maggie, and Sarah (Guy); sister, Joanne Dahlin; and 9 great grandchildren.
Rocky was preceded in death by his parents; and daughter, Kimberly.
Memorials are preferred to St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Richfield, Minnesota.
Rocky was born on June 10, 1933 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota to Oscar and Emilia (Berglund) Elton. Burnham grew up and graduated from Fergus Falls High School. He attended the University of Minnesota where he was a 4 year starter for the Gopher football team, graduating in 1954. He was then commissioned into the U.S. Air Force.
He married Marian Eisterhold on May 14, 1955 in Minneapolis at St. Kevin’s Catholic Church. He was a devoted and loving husband to Marian for 66 years. Rocky served both active duty and as a reserve pilot for the U.S. Air Force retiring in 1983 as a lieutenant colonel.
Rocky was a dedicated teacher of American History and football coach in Fergus Falls and in the Bloomington School District for 34 years. Rocky’s enthusiastic teaching and coaching style endeared him to countless students and athletes over these years.
Rocky had a unique gift for making others feel loved and cared for. He was an engaging and charismatic story teller who loved his family deeply. Rocky was very creative and enjoyed a multitude of hobbies including wood carving, wine making and reading. He enjoyed the outdoors and especially loved to fish, hunt and canoe. He also took pleasure in raising and racing homing pigeons and was a member for many years of the Twin Cities Racing Pigeon Club. Rocky was an active member and usher at St. Richard’s Catholic Church and served with the Knights of Columbus.
Above all, Rocky’s family and friends meant the world to him and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include Rocky’s wife, Marian; children John (Joan) of St. Cloud, Thomas (Mollibeth), of Eagle River, Alaska; grandchildren, Melody (Justin), Mira (Jim), Ted, Andrew (Jessica), Elizabeth (Scott), Maggie, and Sarah (Guy); sister, Joanne Dahlin; and 9 great grandchildren.
Rocky was preceded in death by his parents; and daughter, Kimberly.
Memorials are preferred to St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Richfield, Minnesota.