Richard C. Elver
August 01, 1923 - October 09, 2016
Obituary
MIDDLETON-Richard C. Elver, age 93, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2016. He was born on August 1, 1923, in Middleton, the son of Alfred and Lydia Elver. Richard graduated from Middleton High School in 1942. He attended Milwaukee School of Mortuary Science. Richard was a World War II veteran having proudly served his country in the United States Army where he was a graves registration officer. He received the Bronze Star for his fighting in the Battle of Northern France and participated in the Battle of Normandy. Richard was united in marriage to Pearl Schmid on June 20, 1947. He and Pearl operated Qualy-Elver Funeral Home from 1949 until 1964. He enjoyed playing euchre and cribbage with his friends. Richard is survived by his wife, Pearl; sons, Jeffrey (Mary Lynn) of Whitefish Bay, and Roger (Rita) of Fitchburg; four grandchildren, Mallory, Rick, Nicole (David) and Brett; three great-grandchildren, Simon, Natalie and Ty, a sister-in-law, Merlyn Elver and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Curt, Bob, and George. Funeral services will be held at the GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton at 11 AM on Monday, October 17, 2016, with the Reverend Carlie Lloyd presiding. Private burial will be in Sunset Memory Gardens, Madison. Visitation will be held on Monday from 10 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Twin Valley Freewill Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson WestFuneral & Cremation Care
7435 University Avenue
(608)831-6761
Events
Service
Mon Oct 17, 2016 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
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Memories
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David Endicott
Other •
What a wonderful guy! One of my boyhood favorites. David Endicott
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Kathy Casad
Other •
My deepest sympathy to Pearl and family. I worked at Main Tap in Oregon and truly enjoyed seeing Dick at lunch and sharing some good laughs. We was a wonderful man.
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David Endicott
Other •
Dick & Pearl were very much my surrogate parents as I was growing up in Viroqua. Their son Roger was my best and ever-present buddy. When Rog and I were about ten or eleven, Dick and my oldest brother, also named Dick, put boxing gloves on us for a match we had in the reception room of the ground floor at Qualy-Elver. Dick Elver was my coach and Dick Endicott was Rog's. And we went at it with fury. I was the clear winner (just kidding, Rog!).
I was such a constant presence at the Elver home that Dick & Pearl had given me "refrigerator privilege" status (that's when they know you so well, you can just go and open the refrigerator door without asking). The Elvers lived upstairs at Qualy-Elver, so I would just go in the side door and upstairs to the residence in search of Roger. No knocking or bell-ringing needed. One time when I came home from college, I did as usual and went in the side door and walked upstairs. A strange woman was standing at the top of the steps, so I said "Hi, is Pearl here?" She said the Elvers had moved out of town. On hearing this later, Pearl sorrowfully said "it was like moving and forgetting to tell one of your sons."
Dick & Pearl Elver. Wonderful people from my youth!