Elmer Lester Lindh

In Memory of
Elmer Lester Lindh
October 14, 1924 - March 13, 2013

On March 13, 2013 we lost a very much loved husband, father, grandfather brother, uncle, and friend. Elmer passed away peacefully at his home with his family at his side. He is survived by his wife, Carol Lindh of Grants Pass, his brother, Art Lindh of Grants Pass, his daughters: Rose Kaeser of Grants Pass, Norma Lindh-Nussbaum of Eugene, and Judy Davis of Tumwater, Washington, along with 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren,

Elmer was born October 14, 1924, in Bend Oregon to Art and Minnie Lindh. He was the oldest of three children. The family moved to Grants Pass, Oregon in June of 1935 and settled out in the Picket Creek area.
We often were told stories about the mile and half walk in all kinds of weather, including snow, to catch the bus to school in town where he attended Grants Pass High.

Elmer was drafted into the WW11 just three days before he was to graduate from Grants Pass High School in 1943. He took a deferment and finished school before leaving for his training at Fort Lewis, Washington. He spent two years serving in the South Pacific-Philippines returning in January 1946. He then spent 1 year in Klamath Falls attending OTI where he was studying automotive repair. After school, he returned to the Picket Creek homestead and worked along side his family in the mining industry. During those years Elmer along with his brother Art and sister Arline were all members of The Red Squirrels Motorcycle Club.

On May 1, 1959, Elmer married Carol Colleen Crane. Carol was the love of his life and he often spoke about how lucky he was to have her beside him. After spending a short time in the Picket Creek area, they moved into town and have resided here since. Their family grew in a somewhat unconventional way. They became foster parents to a daughter Judy, in 1963. Shortly afterwards in the years to follow were blessed with opportunity to adopt their two daughters, Rose Marie and Norma Christine.

Elmer spent his life working in the lumber industry. He retired from Southern Oregon Plywood Mill in 1988. He then got secondary training in small engine repair and spent many years doing that as well as lawn maintenance. He also worked at the Grants Pass Boys and Girls Club and later in more recent years at the Grants Pass YMCA until 2011.

Elmer loved anything that had to do with old cars, Model T specifically. He enjoyed just tinkering and fixing things-his way. He loved the outdoors and together with Carol instilled a love for camping in his daughters and grandchildren. He enjoyed listening to music, singing along and spending time with family and friends.

Elmer always had a very strong belief in god and grew his faith during his lifetime. He could always be counted on to be there with a hug and a prayer in any situation. Elmer was not a man of complaints and can be remembered for his thankfulness in his words “God has been so good to me”. He most recently was attending the Parkway Traditions Senior Group at Parkway Christian Center.

He was very rarely seen without a smile and was well known for making friends and family laugh. He always had a one liner or a metaphor ready when needed and his daughters refer to those as “Elmerisms”. He was an incredible father, devoted husband, forever brother and wonderful friend who lived his message about hard work, faith in god and unconditional love. He will be forever missed.

We would like to invite you to come and join us on April 27, 2013 for a “Celebration of Life” at Parkway Fellowship Hall in Grants Pass, from 11:00 - 2:00. Please bring any stories/pictures/one-liners that you would feel comfortable sharing about Elmer. You can write them down for the family or share verbally. Look for more information on this website and in the Grants Pass Courier closer to the date.