December 20, 1991 - October 3, 2021
A funeral Mass for Elijah J. Gelhaus will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Divine Mercy Parish - St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. 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 Dec. 20, 1991, in Fairmont, Minn., son of Jeff and Mary (Jorgensen) Gelhaus. He grew up in Ledyard going to St. John’s Grade School in Bancroft through the fifth 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 Dec. 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 J. Gelhaus died Oct. 3, 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 Jenna Gelhaus of Algona; a special friend Courtney Lang; his aunts and uncles, Kristi (Larry) Sjerven of Brooklyn Park, Minn., Jim (Doreen) Jorgensen of Windom, Minn., John (Lori) Jorgensen of Fairmont, Minn., Bill (Lora) Jorgensen of Lakeville, Minn., 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.
Online condolences may be left at www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.