Elwood L. Harmon
January 7, 1945 — September 11, 2016
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Elwood Lee Harmon, 71 of Sioux Falls, passed away on Sunday, September 11, 2016 surrounded by family following a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am Thursday, September 15, 2016, at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Visitation with the family present will be from 5-7:00 pm Wednesday at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Baltic.
Elwood was born on January 7, 1945, in Viborg, South Dakota, to Earl “Tub” and Dagmar (Osthus) Harmon. He grew up on a farm in the Hurley/Davis area before moving to Centerville during his junior year of high school. He graduated from Centerville High School in 1963 and then attended General Beadle College in Madison. After graduating in 1968, he taught at the Baltic School District for three years, but spent most of his life operating the Minnehaha County Farm Mutual in Baltic, in addition to Harmon Insurance. He married Betty Johnson on January 6, 1969, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vermillion.
Elwood was a member of First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. He was a long-time member and past President of South Dakota Association of Mutual Insurance Company. He was a dedicated coach to his children’s softball and basketball teams and he played a very active role in the Lincoln Marching Band stadium crew.
He enjoyed his daily Baltic coffee groups and spending time with friends. He had a love for cars and liked to spend time driving his Mustang. Above all, Elwood’s love language was helping people and he never shied away from hard work. When a friend or family member needed him, no problem was too large.
Elwood also loved spending time with his six grandchildren. This may include driving go-karts with the boys or dressing up princesses with the girls. A grandchild’s request was never turned down.
Survivors include his wife, Betty, Sioux Falls; children: Stacy (Christian) Johnson, Edina, MN, Erin (Josh) Wilcox, St. Louis Park, MN, and Adam (Becky Johnson) Harmon, Minneapolis, MN; six grandchildren: Benjamin, Trigg, and Lauren Johnson, and Sophie, Madeline, and Henry Wilcox; and brothers: Dean (Joanne) Harmon, Sturgis, and Bob (Kathy) Harmon, Sioux Falls and sisters-in-law, Jan Harmon and Deb Harris, and mother-in-law, Blanche Johnson, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Dennis, and Eldon, father-in-law, Olin Johnson and brother-in-law, James Harris.
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