Elmer Ezra Stempges was born to August and Dorothea (Brockmueller) Stempges on February 24, 1901 in Irene, SD where he was raised on the family farm and grew to manhood. At this time he moved to Colorado where he worked in construction for several years. He then returned to Scotland, SD where he farmed with his father until 1928 when they moved to Lake Benton, MN. They farmed near Lake Benton for three years. In 1930 they moved to Verdi, MN where Elmer continued to farm with his brothers for several years. He then moved to Elkton, SD where he was employed as a journeyman electrician for Wilson electric. He was united in marriage to Alice Everett at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jasper, MN on May 8, 1947. Following their marriage they resided in Pipestone where he was employed as the custodian at the Pipestone Central School until his retirement in 1972. Following his retirement, he worked part-time at home repairing elecrical appliances. He was baptized on July 14, 1901, and he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith as an adult at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. In mid September of this year, Elmer was admitted to the Pipestone County Medical Center for one week. He then became a resident at Palisade Manor Nursing Home in Garretson, SD for two weeks before being admitted to the Good Samaritan Village in Pipestone on Monday, October 10, 1988. He died there early that evening at the age of 87 years, 7 months and 16 days. He is lovingly remembered by his wife Alice Stempges of Pipestone, MN; his son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Alvira Stempges of Luverne, MN; his granddaughter Lisa; and his brother, Roland Stempges of Verdi, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, John; two brothers, Frank and Alwin; one sister, Lillian Beverly Cannon; and an infant sister.