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Gerald Wilson Elbers died August 13, 2021, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 96 years. He was born in White Plains, New York, and served in the U.S. Army during WWII, in a radar unit which supported combat efforts in France and Germany.
After the war, Jerry attended Middlebury College on the GI Bill, and then went on to graduate school at University of Minnesota, where he met his wife of over 65 years, Joan Swenson Elbers. Passing up law school in order to support a family, he and Joan moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where he worked for the Department of Education (previously HEW). They built a home in Rockville, Maryland, and lived there for close to 40 years. They retired to Port Charlotte, Florida, where they greatly enjoyed the beautiful weather in the winter and the abundant wildlife, but ultimately moved to Houston to be near their daughter and family.
Jerry and Joan spent their summers in Northern Minnesota, and were long time cabin owners on Gunflint Lake, which was his favorite place to be and where he took keen interest in both the wildlife and the community. His dry and sarcastic sense of humor was well known by many of his neighbors, who also appreciated the good heart behind the clever words.
Jerry lived a long and good life, and as he grew older, he overcame with stoicism and lack of complaint the inconveniences of both severe vision loss and a heart weakened by a virus. He was blessed to have both his wits about him and a sense of humor until his final days.
Jerry was predeceased by his wife Joan S. Elbers, and his only son Samuel Erling Elbers. He was also predeceased by both of his older brothers, Richard Elbers and Robert Elbers. He is survived by his daughter Stephanie Elbers Donaho (Bob Donaho), his daughter in-law Amy Elbers, and his grandchildren Tom Donaho (Jessie), Emma Donaho Clark (Stephen), Nelson Elbers, Olivia Elbers and Erik Elbers. He was also survived by two great-grandsons (Barrett and Hardy Donaho), and a great-granddaughter (Lucy Anne Clark), born just days after his death. His final years were made both comfortable and dignified by the efforts of his caregiver, Sarah Moore.
He will be greatly missed.
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