Elmer Poline, 86 of Minot, North Dakota, formerly of Bowbells, North Dakota, passed away to his heavenly Father on Wednesday evening, May 19, 2020 at the Wellington Assisted Living in Minot, North Dakota.

Elmer was born November 20, 1933 to Wilhelm and Emma Poline in rural Burke County.

He served in the Army from 1956 – 1958 where he spent time in Korea. Upon returning to Bowbells, he was hired by Burke County to mow weeds. He worked for the county for a year and made a career change to the oil fields. In 1966, he was hired back by the county as a motor grader operator. The county’s first blade operated by Elmer was the Anston Weston, followed by a machine called the Adams. The county purchased a 140 G Cat in 1975 and Elmer tallied 22,000 hours on it. In 1991, another new 140 G arrived and Elmer added 9,500 hours to it. In 1998, he retired after 40 years of service.

Elmer was a member of the United Methodist Church where he served as head usher for approximately 30 years. He also served with the Bowbells Fire Department. In his early retirement years, he delivered meals for Meals on Wheels. Fishing was relaxing to him and we enjoyed eating his smoked fish. He loved lutefisk and attended many church dinners to enjoy this delicacy. Elmer enjoyed gardening and had a green thumb with his tomatoes and cucumbers. Reading the newspapers (his favorites being the Burke County Tribune and the Minot Daily News) with a cup of coffee was an important part of the day. He enjoyed having fun and teasing his nieces and nephews. One Christmas we received the best gift of all –Siamese kittens!

Elmer is survived by his sister, Irene Nordloef; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters and their husbands, Ruth, Evelyn (Charles) Becker and Marie (Chester) Masters, and brothers and their wives, Clifford (Pearl) Hubbell, Oscar (Lila) Poline, Bill (Noreen) Poline, and brother-in-law Harlan Nordloef.

Thank You