LITTLE FALLS, Minn. - Elmer C. Beale, 80-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minn. He survived a massive stroke in 2021 and spent his remaining years at home enjoying the company of his family and dogs.

A celebration of Elmer's life was held at Little Falls VFW, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025. He will be laid to rest at ROSELAWN MEMORIAL PARK, 401 Femrite Drive, Monona, Wis., at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2025.

Elmer was born on July 17, 1944, to Elmer and Gladys (Clemans) Beale in Madison, Wis. He graduated from Wisconsin High in 1962. He took great pride in his wrestling achievements, competing through high school and college. His accomplishments included winning the Wisconsin State Championship and the Big Ten Championship, becoming an All-American, and placing 4th in the Nationals. 1967 was an important year for Elmer, as he graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, became a Free-Mason, and married his wife, Emily Lee, in Madison, Wis. He entered the paper industry after graduation, working as a shift manager at the Green Bay Proctor & Gamble plant. Emily teased him that he had worked his way up from the bottom: he started on the toilet paper line and ended on facial tissue. He moved around in the industry, living in Pennsylvania, California, and Michigan, with several return stays in Wisconsin, before settling in Little Falls in 1995 to join the Hennepin Paper Company as president. When the plant closed in 1999, he took over PicTek as a manufacturer's sales representative for the paper industry. He sold the company and officially retired in 2019.

Elmer was an avid woodworker and loved making projects for friends and family. He enjoyed hunting, golfing, and playing cards, especially Five Hundred. He was a good friend who was always willing to lend a hand. A passionate Packers fan and season ticket holder, Elmer had the chilling privilege of attending the Ice Bowl in Green Bay. He supported the Vikings of his adopted home, as long as they weren't playing Green Bay.

Elmer is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Emily; his son, James; and his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Gladys Beale; and sisters, Donna Meier, Genevieve Sanders, Lorraine Henning, Bobbie Christenson and Joanne Bruce.

He will be missed by his family, nieces and nephews, and his close friends whom he cherished.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Elmer Beale

July 17, 1944 - May 07, 2025

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