Elden J. Schlesser

Elden J. "Eldie" Schlesser, age 79 of Nelson, passed away on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at his home. He was born on July 19, 1938 in Cochrane, the son of Matthew and Theresia (Lorenz) Schlesser. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Corabelle; children, Christine St. Jacques, Keith Schlesser (special friend Judy Brandt), Kenneth Schlesser (special friend Jen Hough); step children William (Patricia) Rosenow and Coralee (Neil) Overboe-Bauer; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; sisters, Joanne (Harold) Manley and Jean (Joe) Carson; sister in law, Juanita Schlesser; brother in law, John Manley; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Rosella Rothering and Shirley Manley; brother, Orville Schlesser and a daughter-in-law, Tracie Schlesser. Elden served 4 years in the Marine Corps and 20 years in the Army Reserves. He did iron work before he started a 20 year career on a bridge crew for the State of MN. In 1976 he bought the Hiawatha Café in Wabasha, MN which he operated for 20 years. Elden was proud of his service to his country. He was a life member of both the Alma American Legion Post 224 and the Wabasha Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4086. He was a former County Board Supervisor and was presently serving on the Health and Human Services Board representing the Veterans of Buffalo County. Elden married Neoma St. Jacques in 1961. They later divorced. He married Corabelle (McQuiston) Rosenow on Dec. 9, 2000 and often said they were the best 17 years of his life. A funeral service will be held at Talbot Family Funeral Homes, Alma Chapel on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 12:00 Noon. Burial to immediately follow with full military honors at Nelson Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday, March 12, 2018 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm and then again on Tuesday one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Nelson Cemetery Association or to the Alma United Methodist Church.