Norman Elias
January 16, 1931 — April 21, 2010
Norman Moses Elias, son of Floyd S. and Adele (Suleiman) Elias, was born on January 16, 1931, in Persia, Iowa. He was baptized at the Syrian Orthodox Church in Sioux City, Iowa. Norman graduated from Persia High School with the class of 1949, and followed his love of the mountains to the University of Wyoming to continue his education before transferring to Iowa State University. He later transferred to Morningside College in Sioux City where he was awarded a Bachelor�s degree in Livestock Marketing and Business Administration.
Right out of college, Norman was drafted into the United States Army where he was trained in finance. He stayed stateside and served at Ft. Totten in Long Island, New York. While in the service, Norman married Cleo Arbaugh on June 6, 1954. After their wedding, Norman and Cleo made their home in Flushing, New York, while Norman continued his military service.
After Norman was honorably discharged, he and Cleo drove back to Iowa to visit family and ended up making a home in Persia, Iowa. Norman worked at Wilson Packing in Omaha as a cattle buyer. In the late fifties, Norman joined the family business, Elias Super Market, in Persia, where he continued to work until his retirement in 1989.
After retirement, Norman and Cleo enjoyed traveling and visiting their children and grandchildren. Norman also enjoyed taking drives to see the farm he inherited from his grandfather, Sam John. Norman loved cars and enjoyed collecting convertibles, especially his 1954 Buick that was restored for his 25th anniversary and is still at his home.
Norman was a member of the Persia American Legion Post No. 314 of Persia, Iowa and the Amber Masonic Lodge #569 of Quick, Iowa. He was also a lifetime member of the Persia United Methodist Church where he served in a number of roles, including lay minister.
Norman died on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at Saint Luke�s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, having attained the age of seventy-nine years, three months, and five days. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Ronald and Larry.
He is survived by his wife, Cleo, of Persia, Iowa; their children: Jan and her husband John Hansen of Scottsdale, Arizona; Jill Elias of Rogers, Arkansas; Julie and her husband Ed Vidlak of Omaha, Nebraska; Sam Elias and his wife Shelley of Overland Park, Kansas; six grandchildren: Jonathan and Anna Vidlak, Grant, Chase, Breck, and Cameron Elias; his brother Sam Elias of Orange, California; other family members and many friends.
A Celebration of Life Service was held on Monday, April 26, 2010, at the Persia United Methodist Church in Persia, Iowa, with Pastor Orris Drake officiating the 10:30 AM service. Military Rites were held at Valley View Cemetery in Persia by the Persia American Legion Post No. 314. Serving as casket bearers were: Craig Elias, Bob McConnell, Mark Elias, Harry Shaw, Dan Frost, Milo Ruffcorn, and David Albers.
The family requests memorials to:
Persia United Methodist Church
American Heart Association
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Right out of college, Norman was drafted into the United States Army where he was trained in finance. He stayed stateside and served at Ft. Totten in Long Island, New York. While in the service, Norman married Cleo Arbaugh on June 6, 1954. After their wedding, Norman and Cleo made their home in Flushing, New York, while Norman continued his military service.
After Norman was honorably discharged, he and Cleo drove back to Iowa to visit family and ended up making a home in Persia, Iowa. Norman worked at Wilson Packing in Omaha as a cattle buyer. In the late fifties, Norman joined the family business, Elias Super Market, in Persia, where he continued to work until his retirement in 1989.
After retirement, Norman and Cleo enjoyed traveling and visiting their children and grandchildren. Norman also enjoyed taking drives to see the farm he inherited from his grandfather, Sam John. Norman loved cars and enjoyed collecting convertibles, especially his 1954 Buick that was restored for his 25th anniversary and is still at his home.
Norman was a member of the Persia American Legion Post No. 314 of Persia, Iowa and the Amber Masonic Lodge #569 of Quick, Iowa. He was also a lifetime member of the Persia United Methodist Church where he served in a number of roles, including lay minister.
Norman died on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at Saint Luke�s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, having attained the age of seventy-nine years, three months, and five days. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Ronald and Larry.
He is survived by his wife, Cleo, of Persia, Iowa; their children: Jan and her husband John Hansen of Scottsdale, Arizona; Jill Elias of Rogers, Arkansas; Julie and her husband Ed Vidlak of Omaha, Nebraska; Sam Elias and his wife Shelley of Overland Park, Kansas; six grandchildren: Jonathan and Anna Vidlak, Grant, Chase, Breck, and Cameron Elias; his brother Sam Elias of Orange, California; other family members and many friends.
A Celebration of Life Service was held on Monday, April 26, 2010, at the Persia United Methodist Church in Persia, Iowa, with Pastor Orris Drake officiating the 10:30 AM service. Military Rites were held at Valley View Cemetery in Persia by the Persia American Legion Post No. 314. Serving as casket bearers were: Craig Elias, Bob McConnell, Mark Elias, Harry Shaw, Dan Frost, Milo Ruffcorn, and David Albers.
The family requests memorials to:
Persia United Methodist Church
American Heart Association
________________________________________
PDF Printable Version
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