Elton Wood, 91, of Whittemore, died Saturday at Good Samaritan Society, Algona. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday at 11:00 AM at Divine Mercy Parish ~ St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Whittemore. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Algona. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 9:30 am to 11:00 AM at St. Michael’s Catholic Church Parish Center in Whittemore.
Elton Eugene Wood was born March 12, 1932, to Walter and Lillie (Moore) Wood on a farm in Sherman Township in Kossuth County, Iowa. He was child number 15 of 16 children. He went to a country school through 8th grade then attended Lu Verne High School, graduating in May of 1949. Elton stayed on the farm helping his dad until joining the United States Army on December 10, 1953. He spent his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was stationed in Germany from May of 1954 to October of 1955, when he was honorably discharged at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. While in Germany he became Company Clerk for his unit Battery B 5th Field Artillery Battalion.
After returning home from serving his country Elton began working at Robinson Produce (which later became Klein’s Farm Supply, then Wayne’s Feed Supply) in Algona, Iowa. He worked in the same store location for 21 years. Elton worked for Harley Haas for a time before beginning his employment at Snap On Tools in Algona in January of 1978. He worked there until his retirement in July of 1997.
Elton was united in marriage with Janice Besch August 27, 1957, in Whittemore, Iowa. Three children were born to this union. Janice died February 6, 1962. He married Delores “Delrae” Kemna September 8, 1969, in Algona. One child was born to this union. They were later divorced. On November 22, 1997, Elton and Shirley Ankeny-Maahs were married in Whittemore. Shirley died July 2, 2019.
Elton raised fancy pigeons from the age of 5 until he sold his stock in January of 2014. Elton enjoyed reading, gardening, internet puzzles, making greeting cards and stamping, and watching movies and certain “soaps” on television. He was an excellent dancer. He also liked decorating for special occasions. Elton kept up with current affairs and the activities of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Whittemore, VFW, Holy Name Society of Whittemore, and Knights of Columbus of Algona.
Elton died June 10, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Society in Algona at the age of 91. Survivors include his children Gregory Wood of San Diego, CA, Jeffrey (Deann) Wood of Dexter, IA, Cynthia (David) Humke of Newton, IA, and Joseph (Valerie) Wood of Boone, IA; seven grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; ex wife Delores Wood of Algona; and numerous nieces and nephews. Departed family members are Elton’s parents; wife Janice; wife Shirley; daughter-in-law Diane Wood; sisters Opal Welter, Kathryn Leist, Dorothy Martin, Betty Vonbank, Elizabeth Vonbank, Elsie Eischen, Bonnie Esser, Exemae Wood, and Mary Ann Reynolds; brothers Glenn Wood, Kenneth Wood, Walden Wood, Condol Wood, Robert Wood, and Leonard Wood; seven sisters-in-law and seven brothers-in-law, as well as several nieces and nephews.
oakcrestfuneralservices.com