Elmer Dean Aeilts

Rock Rapids, IA        Elmer Aeilts age 82 of Rock Rapids, IA died Sunday, March 4, 2018 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.        Memorial service will be 10:30 AM, Friday, March 9th at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, with Rev. Dan Haggar officiating.        Family and friends will gather at 8:30 AM at the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids on Friday, March 9th and travel in procession to the Bethel Reformed Cemetery, rural Little Rock, IA for the committal service.        Visitation will be Thursday, March 8th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at First Reformed Church of Rock Rapids.          Elmer Dean Aeilts was born September 12, 1935 on the family farm northeast of Rock Rapids, Iowa. He attended Midland #3 school and graduated from Rock Rapids High School in 1953. He was a member of the basketball team, track team and the FFA. After his education he remained with his family and helped his father farm for three years. He entered the US Army on September 7, 1956 and served in Germany. He received his honorable discharge on June 7, 1958 and returned home to continue farming.        On October 6, 1961 Elmer was united in marriage to Darlene Klosterboer at Bethel Reformed Church, rural Little Rock, IA. In September of 1961 Elmer joined his brother Ray in a service station partnership, called Aeilts Oil Company, delivering gas and fuel oil to farmers. The Philips 66 station was first located at the corner of 7th & Union Street in Rock Rapids and later became a Skelly station at the intersection of Highways 9 and 75. In 1965 he added a school bus route to his day and continued transporting students for 17 years. In 1973 Elmer purchased a share of the Rock Rapids Car Wash and managed it for 38 years. In 1979 he started a 30-year career as rural mail carrier for the US Postal Service. He proudly served on the Rock Rapids Volunteer Fire Department for 38 years.   He was on the chain crew for Central Lyon football games for almost 40 years, a kitchen volunteer at the Forster Community Building for 15 years with Darlene, and he worked for Lewis Drug Long Term Care delivery for 15 years.        Elmer was a faithful member of the First Reformed Church of Rock Rapids, served as deacon and elder and enjoyed fellowship with his church family. He was a member of the American Legion Post #103 and active with the Military Rites and Funeral Squad in Rock Rapids. He and his wife loved to travel and, in recent years, wintering in the south. He loved helping others, listening to Southern Gospel music, working jigsaw puzzles, and playing golf.   He enjoyed collecting and restoring windmills and building things with scraps. He had a gift for visiting with people, and in retirement attended 4 different coffee groups each day. Most of all Elmer cherished time spent with his family. He will be remembered as a good-natured man with a special sense of humor.        He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Darlene Aeilts of Rock Rapids, IA; three children, Eileen McGrew of Urbandale, IA, Keith Aeilts and Brian (Kristin) Aeilts, both of Sioux Falls, SD; 9 grandchildren, Allison (Alex) Michl of Clive, IA, Ryan McGrew of Urbandale, IA, Caleb Miller of Sioux Falls, SD, Amanda and Andrew Aeilts of Graettinger, IA, Madelynn Aeilts of Sioux Falls, SD, Damon Aeilts of Sioux Falls, SD, Dylan Aeilts of Viborg, SD, and Elise Aeilts of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law, Jane Aeilts of Rock Rapids, IA; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.        He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Hattie (Van Briesen) Aeilts; an infant son, Alan Dean; infant sister, Marian Aeilts; 2 sisters, Luetta Aeilts and Dolores Hoogeveen; and 2 brothers, Raymond and Harold Aeilts.