Elmer Ralph Trefethen

Elmer R. Trefethen, age 96 of Crosby died on March 9, 2020 at Essentia St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd.  He was born on September 19, 1923 in Minneapolis to George and Rose (Brosseau) Trefethen.  He was WWII Army veteran, serving at the Battle of Okinawa April 1, 1945, Battles of Kwajalein, Leyte, Ryukyus, Northern Solomons and the Southern Phillipians Liberation.  Elmer married Joyce Anderson on September 28, 1946 in St. Paul.  He was a retired Pillsbury employee at A Mill with 40 years of service. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby, the Myrin-James American Legion Post #443, Ironton; the National Rifle Association and a lifetime member of the Brainerd VFW.

Elmer is survived by three sons, David (Jane) Trefethen of Monticello, Thomas (Helen) Trefethen of Webb Lake, WI, and John (Kathleen) Trefethen of Eden Prairie;

One daughter, Patricia (James) Goke of St. Cloud; four grandchildren, four great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

Preceding Elmer in death are his parents; his wife, Joyce; and two sisters, Phyllis Trefethen and Jeanne Mika.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby with full military honors given by the Myrin-James American Legion Post #443, Ironton.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church.  Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis at 1:30 p.m. Monday (Assembly Area 2).  Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.