Elmer Dean Donnelly

Elmer Dean Donnelly died at the age of 89 years on February 18, 2025. He was the loving husband to Roxanne (Newhouse) and beloved father to three sons, Jeffrey (wife, Anita), Marc (wife, Carrie), and David (wife, Jessica). He was grandpa to four grandchildren, Nicole (husband, Duncan) Clark, Chase (wife, Danae), Colin and Katie, and had one great-granddaughter, Winifred Chase Clark. Elmer is preceded in death by his parents, Calvin and Marie; brothers, Vernon, Carl, Francis; grandson, Chase.

Elmer was born to Calvin and Marie Donnelly on Easter Sunday, April 21st, 1935, in Vermillion, MN. He was the last of four sons. Soon after, the family moved to a farm in Osseo, MN for a few years. The family’s final move was to a home on West Richmond Street in South St. Paul, MN. He graduated in 1954 from South St. Paul High School. Soon after, he enlisted in the US Army and began his service in December 1954. Most of his military service was at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. He was honorably discharged in September 1956 and journeyed back to Minnesota.

His chosen life’s profession was a TV repairman. Following formal training at Northwestern Television and Electronics Institute, he spent most of his career at Montgomery Ward. He settled in Inver Grove Heights to raise a family – a town he would reside in for the rest of his life. He had two sons in the early 1960’s, Jeff and Marc.

In 1980, he met the love of his life, Roxanne Newhouse, and in May 1983 they were married – a marriage that would last for more than 40 years. On Valentine’s Day, 1984, they had a son, David Dean.

Elmer was considered an extremely loving, kind and caring man by all who knew him. Elmer truly loved others. He loved his family. But most of all, he loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

His favorite scripture verse is Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Memorial Service will be held on Friday morning, February 28th, 2025, at 11am at Eden Baptist Church, 1313 Highway 13 E., Burnsville, MN 55337. Visitation will begin at 9:45 am. A meal will be served following the service for all in attendance.