Edwin "Ed" Elbers

Edwin "Ed" Dale Elbers was born in Steen, MN on July 23, 1939, to Evert (Ed) and Verna (VanderHaar) Elbers. He had a happy childhood in Steen until the age of 13, when his mother was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis, and he and his three siblings had to take over the household chores and tend the large family garden while trying to keep up at school. He and his older brother, Wilmer, also had to take over their father’s job of delivering gas to rural farmers in Rock County, whenever their father needed to take their mother to Rochester for treatment. He once drove a semi-truck full of cattle to Sioux City at the age of 13, to help pay the bills so the family could make it through their terrible crisis. Despite having to grow up quickly, he truly appreciated the care and support from the people of his hometown and always recalled that time in his life with great fondness.

After his high school graduation in 1957, Ed entered the US Air Force from 1958 to 1962, serving in Labrador, Canada, for one year and then in Sacramento, CA. During that time, he married Iva Wessels on September 9, 1960, and their first child, Debra, was born the following year. After an honorable discharge, he and Iva returned home to Rock County. Following their return, Ed took evening classes at Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls, received his license for selling life insurance, and became co-owner of a grocery store in Steen. He and Iva had two more children while living in Steen, Jeffrey in 1963, and Joel in 1966. The family moved to Luverne in 1972, where Ed and Iva purchased the Sunrise Motel. While Iva ran the day-to-day business at the motel, Ed served as a deputy sheriff for Rock County. He also obtained his realtor’s license, working for Sanny Realty. In 1977, he sold the motel and joined his brother, Wilmer, in purchasing Hills Stainless Steel, which they later moved to Luverne. Together, they also bought Luverne Fire Equipment. After selling his share of the business to Wilmer, he became the Rock County Sheriff from 1987 to 1991. Following that, he started his own real estate business, All States Realty, and continued helping people buy and sell homes, farms, and businesses until his retirement in 2005. On Saturday, December 6, 2025, Ed passed away at the Sanford Luverne Hospital in Luverne at the age of 86 years, 4 months and 14 days.

Ed remained dedicated to his family and to the people of Rock County all his life. He had numerous relatives in the area and many friends, as well. He always seemed to know everyone in the county, their personal history, and more importantly, who was related to whom. He recently donated a special sign, which will be placed next to the softball field in his hometown of Steen, commemorating the Border League Fast Pitch Softball League, the longest running softball league in the state of Minnesota. Ed enjoyed playing for the Steen team for many years. He also collaborated with the City of Luverne and with Rock County in their efforts to make improvements and draw more families to the Rock County area. If you needed help to reach a goal, make a business connection, or just wanted an abundance of ideas and inspiration, you only had to “ask Ed.”

Ed is survived by his children and their spouses, Deb (Jim) Garvin, Jeff (Linda) Elbers, Joel Elbers (Jill Slieter); grandchildren, Dan (Lauren) Garvin, Kaitlyn Garvin (Andy Trahan), Jenna Elbers, Joe Elbers, Breanna Elbers; and step-great-grandchildren, Chloe Trahan and Ryan Trahan; sister, Ruth Verbrugge; brothers-in-law, Lowell Wessels, Harold Wessels, Doug Wessels, and David Wessels; sisters-in-law, Betty (Elbers) Babbitt, Enore Boelman, Gert Wessels, Theresa Wessels, and Beverly Wessels; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families. He was preceded in death by his wife, Iva; parents, Ed and Verna Elbers; parents-in-law, Fred and Jennie Wessels; sister, Nelvina Kroese and brother, Wilmer Elbers; brothers-in-law, Charles W. Kroese, Vernon Verbrugge, Norman Wessels, Edwin Boelman, Stanley Wessels, Donald Schouwenburg, and Darrel Wessels; sisters-in-law, Joyce Wessels, Phyllis Schouwenburg, Jolene Wessels, Sharon Wessels, and Virginia Wessels; niece, Kristina Martinez; and nephews, Mike Wessels and Bryan Boelman.