Elmer E. Thayer

November 3, 1925 - July 3, 2014

Elmer E. Thayer, age 88, of Fremont;
died late Thursday (July 3, 2014) in Arbor Manor, Fremont.

Elmer was born in Palmyra, Wisconsin to Elmer and Lena (Hooper) Thayer on November 3, 1925. He grew up in the Palmyra area and attended the rural school there until the 6th grade. He was a Boy Scout, and played basketball and baseball. He attended Whitewater College High School through his sophomore year and then graduated from Palmyra High School in 1942.

After graduation he farmed with his brother Woodrow, on the family farm. They milked cows, raised hogs and turkeys. They also raised sweet corn and peas for the local canneries.

He was married to Mary Nicoson in 1946, staying on the family farm until 1952 when they moved to a farm near Troy Center. They had 4 children (3 daughters and 1 son), and were involved in their activities with 4-H, showing cattle at the county fair, and softball. Elmer was also active at Little Prairie Church where he was chairman of the food committee and supervised the food tent at the county fair. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Palmyra.

Elmer retired from farming in 1968 and took employment with P.A.G. Seeds and moved to Waverly, Iowa. In 1969 he moved to Fremont and was a field representative for Cargill Hybrid Seeds until his retirement in 1990. During his tenure as a field representative, he won many wonderful trips for his wife Mary and himself to enjoy.

He is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fremont, and a member of the FOE Eagles Club since 1972. He also loved to bowl, and had bowled every year since 1940. He was a member of many bowling leagues, starting in Palmyra, Wisconsin and he continued to belong to leagues in every city and town where he lived. He also traveled with good friends to the Bowling Nationals in various parts of the United States. Another pastime Elmer enjoyed was playing cards. Wherever a group was playing sheepshead or pinochle, Elmer was willing to play. When he was no longer able to bowl, Keno became his favorite pastime.

Elmer was preceded in death by his wife Mary, his parents, a brother, a sister-in-law, a sister, a brother-in-law, and one son-in-law.

Surviving are his 3 daughters, Judy Zander, Peggy Swanson, and Polly Pope, all of Fremont, one son Jeffrey and wife Gloria Thayer of Salem, Illinois, 6 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 2 great, great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

The Memorial Service will be 10 AM Tuesday (July 8th) at the First United Methodist Church. Visitation with the family will be at the Ludvigsen Mortuary, Monday from 5 to 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church and the American Diabetes Association. Committal will in Palmyra, Wisconsin.

Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com

Obituary Provided By:
Freeman Funeral Home
1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE  68025
www.ludvigsenmortuary.com