Elmer Alfred Lofthus was born September 16, 1918 to Lars and Anna Kvisle Lofthus in Clearbrook, Minnesota.  He had one sister and five brothers. He attended country school north of Bagley until the 8th grade, then went to work on the family farm. He married Josie Wedwick on May 31, 1942 in Brainerd. 

Elmer entered the military on July 15, 1944 in the thick of WWII. He was inducted at Fort Snelling, Minnesota and sent to Camp Joseph T. Robinson for basic training. From there he was sent to Fort George G. Meade, Maryland for further training as a rifleman (745). He was then sent to Central Europe with Company I, 134th Infantry. The 134th Infantry liberated or captured 124 towns through September of 1945 and suffered 10,200 casualties.  Elmer was honorably discharged November 12th, 1945 with a Purple Heart. 

Elmer farmed all his life in Eddy Township and he loved to work with horses. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church where he served as treasurer and deacon. He was on the Bagley Co-op Elevator Board and was a member of the Bagley American Legion Post. 

Elmer died December 4, 1992 and is buried at the Zion Cemetery.

Plot: 11     Side: South     Row from Bottom: 5

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