Larry James Elznic was born Jan. 11, 1945 near Tobias to Anton F. and Mary (Paroubek) Elznic. Larry passed away while working near Ohiowa on Dec.14, 1999, at the age of 54 years 11 months and 3 days. He was one of four children in the family.

Larry moved several times during his life, two places near Tobias and four different places in Chelsea Township. Because the original Star No. 89 school house had burnt, Larry started to school in a chicken house Northwest of Tobias. In the Spring of 1954, Larry moved with his parents to Chelsea Township and attended District 32 through the 8th grade. He attended Geneva High School and graduated in 1963.

Larry was married to Sharon Kay Taylor of Geneva on July 21, 1963 at the United Methodist Church in Geneva. They made their home on the Lewis farm in Chelsea Township until they moved to their present home on Jan. 1, 1979. To this union four children were born, David James, DeAnn Kay, Donna Leigh and Dale Lee.

He started farming at the age of 16 with his father, Anton. Larry and Sharon took over the family farming operation after their marriage. In 1984, he started a custom windrowing and baling business with the help of sons. He also worked for Corn-husker Farms for three years from 1984 to 1987.

Larry enjoyed farming and live-stock all his life. He didn't like the chores that went along with the livestock, so he could always find something else that needed to be done at chore time. Larry enjoyed repairing and working on his own machinery and vehicles. He spent many hours in his shop pondering over a project until he figured it out.

Larry was not a person for change, if it wasn't broken don't fix it. If it was broken, fix it yourself instead of taking it to town. His passion was attending farm and consignment sales, sometimes more than once a week. He would be the first person to tell you that if he thought he could use it someday he just couldn't bring him self to throw it away.

Larry loved sitting around the kitchen table and visiting with family and friends. He always enjoyed telling stories and jokes, reminiscing, playing cards and family gatherings, especially the Elznic Reunion. A hobby of Larry's was reading, he could read newspapers, magazines or books all afternoon. He loved history, anything he could find to read or watch about past events like the Civil War. Larry also loved the Old Western Channel on cable. He was not a sports fan, but he enjoyed attending his children’s baseball and softball games.

Larry was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. The joy of his life were his grandsons. Either babysitting with them, taking them to garage sales, coffee at Elaine’s and Bunker’s or going to Burress for pop and candy. Larry also liked telling stories about the things the grandsons had done like playing in the goose pond.

Larry was the caretaker of the Chelsea Cemetery for a number of years and a Hoegemeyer Hybrids Seed Dealer of 32 years.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Mary; infant brother Leo; sister and brother-in-law Lenoris and Rudy Girmus; brother-in-law, Edward Kottas and his mother-in-law, Wilma Taylor.

Larry is survived by his wife of 36 years Sharon of Geneva; sons, David and wife Karen Elznic of Geneva and Dale and wife Becky Elznic of Ohiowa; and daughters DeAnn and husband David Carpenter of Hastings and Donna and husband Rodney Norrie of Geneva; grandsons, Daniel, Andrew, Gavin and Benjamin Elznic and Anthony (Tony) Gerberding; step-granddaughters Kim and Kelly Norrie; sister Lorene and husband Wes Buzek of Exeter; father-in-law John Taylor Sr. of Geneva; sister-in laws Shirley Sluka and husband Ed of Roca and Sandy Petersen and fiancé Norm Girmus; brother-in-law John Taylor Jr. of Geneva and host of family and friends.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Dec.17, 1999, from the Farmer and Son Funeral Home-Kotas Chapel in Milligan with Rev. Brian Kottas officiating. Nancy Cradduck accompanied Gaylord Cradduck who sang "Beyond the Sunset" and "Amazing Grace".

Casket bearers were nephews Robert Kottas, Richard Kottas, Brian Srajhans, Roger Sluka, Mike Sluka and Seth Petersen.

Interment was in the Ceski Bratri (North) Cemetery with Farmer and Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Memorials are directed to the family.

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The family of Larry Elznic would like to thank all the family, friends and neighbors for the cards, telephone calls, food, visits, flowers, memorials and expression of sympathy at the loss of our husband, dad and grandfather. A special thanks to the Ohiowa and Tobias Rescue Units for there help, as well as Dr. Ashby, Dr. Hollis, the Fillmore County Hospital and Pastor Brian Kottas. We would also like to thank Barbur Floral for the lovely arrangements, the Milligan Auxiliary Women for the lunch and Farmer and Son Funeral Home for their help and understanding at the time of our loss. A special Thank you goes out to Clarence, Kathy & Bryan Nun, Robert & Richard Kottas and John Taylor Jr. for their help with the chores, cattle and staying at the house. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

SHARON ELZNIC,

DAVID, KAREN, DANIEL

AND ANDREW ELZNIC,