"To Daniel and the Gelhaus family - our deepest condolences on the loss of a wonderful brother and son. He is at peace. We are here for you, whatever you need! Love, the Schaaf's"
In loving memory of
Elijah Joshua Gelhaus
December 20, 1991 - October 3, 2021
A funeral Mass for Elijah J. Gelhaus, 29, of Ledyard will be held Saturday at 10:30 AM at Divine Mercy Parish ~ St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. The funeral Mass will be live streamed on Divine Mercy's YouTube Page, https://youtu.be/yy6yuHh7yio. Burial will be in Highland Home Cemetery in Ledyard. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM Friday at Oakcrest Funeral Services of Algona.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Elijah Gelhaus Memorial Fund which will be directed to the Kossuth Animal Rescue and to area mental health awareness and suicide prevention programs in his memory.
Elijah Joshua Gelhaus was born December 20, 1991, in Fairmont, MN, son of Jeff and Mary (Jorgensen) Gelhaus. He grew up in Ledyard going to St. John's Grade School in Bancroft through the 5th grade. His family moved to Algona where he graduated from Bishop Garrigan Schools in 2010. Elijah then attended Hawkeye Community College transferring to Iowa Lakes Community College obtaining a farm management degree.
Elijah began working at Stateline Cooperative along with helping with the family farming operation near Ledyard. He was married to Jenna Carlson on December 20, 2014, at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. He returned to school at Northwest Iowa Community College in the electrician program and then worked for Dean Meyer Electric and CB Grain Solutions. His passion for farming drew him back to the family business along with starting his own trucking business based out of Ledyard.
Elijah had a great sense of humor and always was that person that would lend a helping hand to anyone. He loved being with his family and anyone who knew Elijah knew his dogs were considered family! He enjoyed running and biking, painting, going to flea markets and finding bargain treasures, playing video games, and fixing anything broken.
Elijah Joshua Gelhaus died Sunday, October 3, 2021, at the age of 29.
He is survived by his parents Jeff and Mary Gelhaus; his two brothers and best friends, Chris and Daniel, all of Algona; his grandparents, Patty Jorgensen of Swea City and Dean and Judy Gelhaus of Ledyard; and his dogs Gizmo and Millie. He is also survived by a special friend Courtney Lang; his aunts and uncles, Kristi (Larry) Sjerven of Brooklyn Park, MN, Jim (Doreen) Jorgensen of Windom, MN, John (Lori) Jorgensen of Fairmont, MN, Bill (Lora) Jorgensen of Lakeville, MN, Margaret (Greg) Brandt of Algona and Don (Rocio) Jorgensen of Ledyard; and many cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfather Milton Jorgensen; and his uncle, Bob Jorgensen.
Tributes
" We are so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy. We cry with you. RIP ELijah"
"So very sorry for your loss. Praying for all of you as you grieve your loved one. ??"
"Mary, Jeff, Chris and Daniel, We are so heartsick for the loss of your precious son and brother. We are thinking of you and praying for healing. We know Elijah?s memories will be a blessing????"
"Jeff,Mary, and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loos of Elijah. May the lord carry all of you through this trying time."
"Mary and family you have my deepest sympathy! Thoughts and prayers to the family "
"Jeff Mary Chris and Daniel....my heart is heavy to hear of Elijah leaving us. It is so sad. As a former student of mine he was well behaved and a calm quiet soul. May the angels and our prayers comfort you during this sad time. May God hold you in the palm of His hand. Blessing to each of you. You are in my prayers. "
"Daniel and the Gelhaus Family, Mary, Alex and I are so very sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers! Jeff Petersen Indianola, IA"
"Gelhaus family so sorry for your loss. Will keep you in our prayers. Dan and Sandy Myers "
"Mary, Jeff, Chris and Daniel, so very sorry for your loss. I can\'t even begin to fathom what you are all going thru. I wish I could come and pay my respects in person, but unfortunately, I have to work. My prayers are with your family in the days and weeks to come as you learn to live without your precious son. Lisa Looft"
"Mary and family, please know you are in our prayers"
"Mary, Jeff, Chris and Daniel- our deepest condolences on your tremendous loss. Elijah will truly be missed by so many. Melissa (Mulligan) Klinger "
"So very sorry for your loss. Many thoughts and prayers go out for the family."
"Mary and family, so sorry for your loss. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Hold on to all of the memories."
"So sorry for your loss, many great memories of Elijah coming to the store when he was little for a treat, my thoughts and prayers are with your family. God bless, Donna Christ "
"Mary, Jeff, Chris & Daniel, I am sending you all my love and prayers! Elijah was the kindest soul and I have so many great memories of growing up with him. I remember arguing with him over if Sophie the dog loved me or him more haha! Please let me know if there is anything I can do at all! All my love, Kendra"
"Mary and Family, I am so sorry to hear about Elijah. Prayers to your family. Hold on tight to your memories."
"Mary, Jeff, Chris & Daniel - You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May God strengthen and comfort you all -- and bring you peace. With deepest sympathy, Tricia Pierson and family"
"Mary and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you with my deepest sympathy and praying you will feel God?s closeness and comfort through the difficult days ahead. "
"Mary and Jeff - I have no words to express how sorry I am for your loss. My prayers are with you all."
"Mary, Jeff, Chris and Daniel I am deeply sorry for your loss! Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!"
"Mary and Jeff, I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family during this difficult time. "
"Prayers to your whole family during this difficult time. I will never forget playing church, cops and robbers,or just simply going to the park when we were younger. Elijah was a great person and will be missed by many!"
"Mary, Jeff, Chris and Daniel My heart aches for you all. Please know You are all in my thoughts and prayers."
"Jeff, Mary, And family. I am so sorry for you loss. It is hard to find the right words to say to all of you during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are are with you. May God give you strength. "
"Jeff Mary and family- I am so incredibly sorry to hear this. Prayers and thoughts are with you all. Words are just not enough. May you find peace through our Father in the coming days..."
"Mary and family, I am so sorry for your loss! Thoughts and prayers! Mary...I didn\'t know when I talked to you. I love you, my friend!!"
"Jeff, Mary, Chris and Daniel, Deepest sympathies to you all. Praying God will give you strength to cope with this tragic loss. "
"Gelhaus Family please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers."
"Our hearts are breaking for you all. Please know there is an army of us praying for you. Elijah was sweet and kind. He brought so much joy to me while working at Bishop Garrigan. I loved being around him and his shy smile. God has him in the palm of His hand. "
"Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time."
"So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for all!! "
"So sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers!!"
"So sorry to hear prayers to all"
"If only I could tell Elijah how much he made me laugh and smile over the years. If only he knew how special he was to me - the closest I ever had to a brother. Gelhaus Family, you are all in my prayers. "
"Prayers to the whole family. ?"
"Jeff, Mary Chris and Daniel, Our hearts are aching. We are so thankful we got to share Elijah with you all. We?re sending strength to you through our prayers. Norm and Mary Carlson Clarion , Iowa "
"Mary, Jeff, Chris and Daniel - so terribly sorry for your loss. Praying for all of you to know God\'s comfort through this time."
"Jeff Mary and family my hearts breaks for all of you ar this time of sadness. You are in my thoughts and prayers Ruth"
"So sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers to all of you. "