Elmer H. Habben, 95, of Resthave Nursing Home, Morrison, IL, died Saturday, January 18, 2014, at the Home.
Elmer was born November 11, 1918, in Clyde Township, IL, to Eve and Hulda (Shultz) Habben. He was educated in the rural Whiteside County grade schools. Elmer married Arline E. Janssen on January 28, 1939, in Clinton, IA. She died August 5, 2001. Elmer farmed along with his wife in the Round Grove area for 42 years until 1982, when they moved to Morrison. Following retirement, he was employed by the Morrison Cattle Company and later worked at Morrison Rockwood State Park. Elmer was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Sterling, IL, and served on the Church Council. He also served on the board of the Resthave Nursing Home in Morrison and was a director of McElrath rural School. Elmer was a member of the Brown Swiss Breeders Association and enjoyed showing his cattle at various County and State fairs. He also enjoyed beekeeping and mushroom hunting.
Survivors include one daughter, Nancy (Everett) Pannier of Morrison; one son, Duane “Barney” (Sharon) Habben of Morrison; five grandchildren, Sherri Pannier, Douglas (Kolleen) Pannier, Keith (Rhonda) Pannier, Chris (Amy) Habben, and Corey Habben; six great-grandchildren, Kyle and Cesselie Pannier; Lauren and Kelly Pannier; Maggie and Clayton Habben; three step-great-grandchildren, Nicole (Cody) Bowers, Jessica, and Ryan Palmer; one step-great-great-grandchild, Remington Snodgrass; one brother, Raymond (Mary Jane) Habben of Morrison.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Arline; six sisters, Annie Burkholder, Margaret Gaffey, Cynthia Ernest, Alma Johnson, Edna Workman, and Laura Thielen; three brothers, Julius, Alfred, and Herbert Habben.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 A.M., Wednesday – January 22, 2014, at the Our Savior Lutheran Church – Sterling, IL
OFFICIATING: Rev. Donald Matthiessen – Pastor: Our Savior Lutheran Church – Sterling, IL
VISITATION: 4:00 – 7:00 P.M., Tuesday – January 21, 2014, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
INTERMENT: Our Savior Lutheran Cemetery – Sterling, IL
MEMORIALS: Our Savior Lutheran Church – Sterling, IL
and Morrison Rockwood State Park