Elmer Leslie Richardson was born December 25, 1914, southeast of Brocksburg, Nebraska and he died December 12, 2007 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, South Dakota at the age of 92 years.

Elmer was the fourth of five children born to Charles and Viola (Byers) Richardson. When the children reached school age, the family moved to Gregory County. They rented numerous farms around the Burke and Jamison areas.

Elmer graduated from Burke High School in 1933. After graduation he joined the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) and spent time in the Black Hills cutting fence posts and working on the steps in Wind Cave National Park. He also worked as a hired man around Jamison and Burke.

In April of 1941, Elmer was drafted into the Army. The 4 1/2 years he spent as an engineer were some of the most important years of his life. He was in Padloping Island, Canada; England; Normandy; France; Northern Africa; Sicily and Italy. By the time he was honorably discharged, he had attained the rank of Sergeant. After the war ended, he and his younger brother, Charlie, bought the Besmer place south of Jamison. They farmed together until Charlie moved to the Black Hills.

In 1957 Elmer met Ruby Irene Thiede, who had come to teach at the Spotted Tail School. They were married on September 6, 1958. To this union six children were born: Dorothy Marie, Leslie Karl, Thomas Lee, Barbara Ann, Debra Jean and Charles William.

As the family grew, so did his land holdings and cattle herd. He was very proud of his Red Angus cattle. When he retired from active farming, he spent many hours building and fixing fences, and hunting for musk thistles and prairie dogs.

Elmer was a regular at the shop in Jamison and later bought and ran the H & E for many years. He was a fixture at the card table and was known for his luck in Rummy, his jokes and his war stories.

Elmer was a member of the Jamison United Methodist Church, the Spotted Tail School Board, the Spotted Tail Cemetery Board and the VFW.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruby; his three brothers: Albert, Leon and Charlie; and his sister, Elva.

Elmer is survived by his children: Dorothy of Jamison, NE and Norris, SD; Leslie of Jamison, NE; Tom of Jamison, NE; Barbara (Bill) White of Herrick, SD; Debra of Bismarck, ND; and Charles (Lisa) of Omaha, NE; four grandchildren: Samantha and William White, and Jacob and Elizabeth Richardson; as well as numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews, many neighbors and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 1:30 PM at the Civic Center in Burke, SD. Burial will be in the Spotted Tail Cemetery, Jamison, Nebraska. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 8 PM, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke.