ELTON GREEN amd FAMILY
Remer, Cass Co. MN
 
     Elton was born on the 14th of February, 1928, to Frederick Arthur and
Beatrice Isabel (Dilts) Green, at the family's home in White Bear Lake ,
Ramsey Co. MN. It must have been an extra special day to Fred and Bea, to
have their first child born on Valentine's Day!
    In 1931, Fred, Bea, and children Elton, Lloyd, and Anna May, moved to
Remer, and took up farming. Why the family moved to Remer is "unknown".
Perhaps the depression had something to do with it, as there might not have
been any jobs available in the "big city". Land was obtained, and a little
cabin was built, along what is now refered to as the "Skunk Road", near Big
Sand Lake. This place was evidently unsatisfactory for farm life, as they
soon built a cabin on the east side of Little Sand Lake, which was about
four miles north of Remer.
    Back then, and in some cases yet today, farming was more of a way of
"existing", rather than an "occupation". The family grew what they could in
their garden, kept some cattle for meat and milk, and did some hunting and
fishing. Any extra milk was taken to town and sold at the creamery. After a
few years, Fred and Bea were tired of just "existing", as they took the
opportunity of "greener pastures" elsewhere. Some would say they were part
Gypsy. Once they were on the move again, their wandering took them back to
White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Burlington, Iowa; Globe, Arizona; and Mexico,
before finally settling down again "permanently" in Minnesota in the 1940's.
Fred's natural talents, and "learn on the go" farming skills, developed into
Mechanical skills. With the advent of Henry Fords $500 dollar cars,and World 
War II in the horizon, Fred's talents came in handy. He managed to find jobs in
Arizona and Mexico as a civilian helping Uncle Sam in the war effort. 
    The 1940's found the Fred Green family back in Remer. Once again,I'm not
sure of the "lure", but farming was the calling again.After working for
"Uncle", Fred probably wanted to be his "own boss!" This time, land was
obtained in a new location, close to Big Sand Lake, about two miles west of
Remer. Perhaps it was Bea and the evolving of the "Women's Sufferage"
movement, or perhaps Bea just "plain suffered" enough, as the family moved
into an actual "house" this time! Bea didn't move into a fairy tale "dream
house" however, as I heard the story of Bea naming the wood heating barrel
stove, "The Black Bastard". Seems the stove pipe decided to fall apart wilst
many loaves of fresh baked bread were setting out to cool.
Elton, our main character, was growing up fast. Even today, Remer has a hard
time "holding" the attentions of many a young man. To "See the World", or
Stare at the "ass end" of a cow for life ....It wasn't a hard choice for
Elton to "move on". Join the Army, and get a free ride out of town, was the
plan. Elton, and his little brother Lloyd, a.k.a. as "Skee", were gone
quicker than a Minnesota summer. Elton and Skee spent time together in Boot
Camp,at Fort Knox, Louisville, Kentucky, and then the Army sent them their
separate ways. Elton was off to Fort Brag,Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Elton's interest in Remer were not entirely forgotten, as he left a pretty
little girl behind. Violet Hicks was her name. Elton was taking "no chances"
on those "Southern Girls", so he asked Vi for her hand in marriage before
leaving Remer.
Violet said yes..... She wanted a "man of the world!" and adventure! .....
not playing second fiddle to some "farmer Brown" in Remer. Vi was soon on a
train with her girlfriend, and maid of honor, to wed the newly settled Elton
in North Carolina. A visit to a little chapel was soon arranged upon Vi's
arrival, and Elton and Vi were "Man and Wife". They soon were established,
and set up in their very own trailer-house. Taj Mah Hall it wasn't, but it
was a cozy start, to over 50 years of marriage.

© 2003 Thomas Green

PICTURE AVAILABLE:   Elton Green Family
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mncasbio/pictures/green_fam.jpg

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OBIT 
Elton John Green 
February 14, 1928 - October 23, 1999 
Elton J. Green, age 71, of Remer, MN died late Saturday, Oct. 23, 1999, at
Miller Dwan Medical Center, Duluth, MN. He was born Feb. 14, 1928 to Fred
and Beatrice (Dilts) Green in White Bear Lake, MN. At the age of three he
moved with his family to Remer, staying several years, moving back to White
Bear Lake, then Iowa, Arizona, and Mexico. Elton again moved back to
Minnesota in the 1940's. In 1948 he met Violet E. Hicks, enlisted in the US
Army, and was stationed in Fort Brag, Fayetteville, NC, where he and Violet
were married on March 5th, 1949. While in Fayetteville Elton was a member of
the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division for seven years. In 1956 Elton and
family were transferred to Kaiserslatern, West Germany, returning to the US
in 1957 to Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. In 1958 Elton was transferred
to Korea for 13 months, and back to Texas until 1963, when he and family
were sent to Nurnberg, West Germany, returning to Texas once again in 1966.
Elton finished his 20 years with the US Army, retiring from service in 1968.
That same year Elton and family moved to Remer, MN, where he resided until
death. Elton was in the L.P. Gas business for 28 years, retiring three years
ago. Survivors include: his wife Violet; one daughter Linda Johnson, and her
husband Dwayne, of Remer; two sons, Greg and his wife Kathy of Bemidji, MN;
Thomas, and his wife Carrie of Remer; one sister, Anna May Killian, of
Remer; and one brother Lloyd "Skee", and his wife Nancy, of Remer. Survivors
also include four grandsons, two grand-daughters, two great grand-daughters,
one great grand-son, and many nieces and nephews. Elton was preceded in
death by his parents, a brother Raymond K. Green, and grandson Brandon
Green. Funeral services were held Wednesday, October 27th 1999 at the Mason
Memorial Congregational Church in Remer, with Rev. Shelia Hunter
officiating. Burial was at the Fairview Cemetery, Remer, MN, with military
honors. Rowe Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Submitted by Thomas Green