Funeral Services for Wilmer Eslinger, age 80 of Elgin, will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin with Pastor Dale Carmen, officiating. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery with full military honors by the George W. Snook American Legion Post #246 of Elgin.


Special music will be provided by Marjorie Mueller.


Serving as casketbearers are Greg Neustel, Kyle Hochhalter, Monte Bellon, Doug Haas, Gary Winkler, and Ted Eslinger. All of Wilmer's grand and great grandchildren are considered Honorary Bearers.


A memorial has been established to the American Cancer Society.


EARNEST WILMER ESLINGER was born January 13, 1932 north of New Leipzig, ND to Gustav and Ida (Zimmerle) Eslinger. The Eslinger family moved to Elm Township northeast of Elgin. Wilmer attended school there and high school in Elgin. After at year of high school, he continued working on the family farm.


Wilmer was inducted into the U.S. Army on January 26, 1955. He was honorably discharged on December 31, 1962 and continued to in the U.S. Army Reserve's until January 25, 1963.


He was united in marriage to Alta Bellon on January 5, 1958 at Zion Lutheran Church in Elgin. They made their home on the Eslinger family farm and six children were born, Kay, Scott, Todd, Brentt, Grantt, and Dee.


In February of 1972, Wilmer purchased the farm from his parents. He continued to farm and ranch with the help of his sons. Wilmer loved the farm and ranch style of life and loved riding his Honda ATV Rancher. But most of all, he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.


He was a New York Yankee, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and John Wayne fan.


Wilmer passed away on Sunday morning, March 11, 2012 at the Jacobson Memorial Care Center in Elgin.


Surviving family members include his wife, Alta, 3 sons and daughter-in-law, Scott and Brenda Eslinger, Todd, and Brentt Eslinger, all of Elgin, ND; 2 daughters, Kay (LeRoy) Tietz, Dickinson, ND; and Dee (Greg) Neustel; Bismarck, ND; 5 grandchildren, Josh (Susan) Tietz, Brianna (Kyle) Hochhalter, Lynsey Eslinger, Lauren Eslinger, and Grant Neustel; 2 great grandchildren, Kaylee Tietz and Serenity Willer; 1 brother and sister-in-law, Lester (Janice) Eslinger, Minot, ND; 3 sisters and brothers-in-law, Marlyn Redman, Minot, ND; Nita (JeRay) Bellon, Arizona City, AZ; and Geraldine Bellon, Mandan, ND.


Wilmer was preceded in death by his parents, son, Grantt Eslinger, 2 brothers-in-law, Lilburn Redman and Gerald Bellon.


Visitation will be Wednesday from 1:00 to 7:00pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin.