Elmer S. Stiller, 93

Elmer S. Stiller, age 93, of Zumbrota died on Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Zumbrota Health Services.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 24, at Christ Lutheran Church in Zumbrota, with Reverend Wayne D. Schoch officiating. Burial will be in Zumbrota Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel in Zumbrota, and on Monday 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Elmer Sidney Stiller was born on Feb. 25, 1919, on the Stiller family farm in Pine Island Township, Goodhue County, Minn., to Edward and Sophie (nee Bjugan) Stiller. He grew up on the farm and attended country school. On June 2, 1939, he married Violet M. Banitt at Grace Lutheran Church in rural Goodhue. They made their home on the Stiller family farm in Pine Island Township for 4 years before moving to a farm in Minneola Township. After farming there for 3 years, they moved into Zumbrota and started a concrete block business in Zumbrota. They ran that business for 7 years before returning to farming for another 5 years. In 1960, Elmer and Violet, along with Betty and Reinhard Zielsdorf, started the Tally Ho Restaurant, which became the Golden Fox Restaurant. They ran the restaurant for 15 years, retiring in 1975.

Elmer was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, where he had served on the church council, and also had served in the National Guard. He enjoyed playing cards and shooting pool, tinkering, fishing, and traveling.

Elmer is survived by his children, David (Sharon) Stiller and Gary (Alice) Stiller, both of Zumbrota, Judy (Glen) Torgerson of Valley City, N.D., and Mary (Ken) Goodman and Joan (James) Wood, both of Zumbrota; 25 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandsons; and sister Violet "June" Koelsch of Cannon Falls.

Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, Violet; great-granddaughter Lauren Tiarks; son-in-law John Mitchell; sisters Gladys Shelstad and Leila Ruegg; brother, Rudy Stiller; and grandson-in-law William Baack.

The family suggests memorials to Christ Lutheran Church or Christ Lutheran School.

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