Elmer Stjernholm
Cheraw, Colo.
Funeral services for Elmer Stjernholm, 81, of La Junta were held Nov. 10 at the Cheraw United Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Dudley officiating. Internment was at Fairview Cemetery in La Junta. Mr. Stjernholm died Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at the Arkansas Valley Regional Nursing Care Center.
He was born May 21, 1927 in Cheraw to Esper and Lillian (Hansen) Stjernholm.
Elmer graduated from Cheraw High School class of 1945. Elmer was Ag Man of the Year for 2003, also he was the president of the Colorado Turkey Federation in 1964, won the Cheraw Lions Club Community Service Award in 1983, served on the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center Board, Cheraw Volunteer Fireman, held offices in the Cheraw Methodist Church, helped remodel and build the Church after the fire, planted a new fairway at the La Junta Golf Course, was on the Southeast Colorado Power Board of Directors from 1978 to 1990 and was on the Colorado Ute Board of Directors.
He also was involved in the Holbrook Irrigation Board and played a large part in the Winter Water Storage Project. Elmer also was a life member of the La Junta Elks Lodge #701 and farmed in the Cheraw area for most of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly of the family home; daughters, Linda (Bill) Chiaramonte of Cheraw; Carolyn (Bruce) Cady of Grand Junction; step-son, Mark (Jennifer) Chenault of Tucson, Ariz.; step-daughter, Stacy (Ron) Padget of Fort Collins; grandchildren, Abby and Erin Chiaramonte of Fort Collins; Brandon Cady and Darcy (Jason) Nelson all of Grand Junction; step-grandchildren, Sean Padget, Nicholas and Sophie Chenault; and great-granddaughter, Bella Chiaramonte; sisters, Christina (Johnny) Allen of Cheraw; Marie Frey of Denver; brothers, Al (Elsie) Stjernholm of Denver; Tom Stjernholm of Pueblo; mother-in-law, Ione Saulmon of La Junta; sisters-in-law, Violet Bunch of Texas; Jackie Brush of Lamar; brother-in-law, Bob (Sally) Saulmon of Canon City. Numerous nieces and nephews and friends also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Esper and Lillian Stjernholm; first wife, Vivian Magnuson Stjernholm on Sept. 3, 1983; son, Daryl Stjernholm in 1964; brothers, Bill and Ernest Stjernholm; sister, Viola Armstrong; nephew Dale Stjernholm.
Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to the Cheraw United Methodist Church, 204 S. 4th St., Cheraw, CO, 81030 or Colorado Boys Ranch, PO Box 681, La Junta, CO, 81050, direct or through the funeral home.
Online condolences at www.peacock-larsen.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home .
