Adrian, Elmer Victor (1923-2003)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Aug 18 p. 8

Birth date: 1923 Oct 18

text of obituary:

ELMER VICTOR ADRIAN

Elmer Adrian, 79, of Buhler, Kan., died July 16, 2003. He was born Oct. 18, 1923, to Jacob L. Adrian and Mary Neufeld Adrian on a farm southeast of Buhler in Reno County.

He attended Lily Dale Grade School and graduated from Buhler High School.

When he was 17 years old, he had to shoulder much of the responsibility of the family farm because his father had died and his older siblings moved away. On their farm they raised watermelons and grain.

He was baptized at an early age, confirming his faith in Jesus Christ and his membership into Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church. He enjoyed singing in a quartet, the church choir and the male chorus. He was active in Kiwanis Club.

On Oct. 3, 1947, he married Lovella Siemens. They lived on the farm until 1949, when he began a 33-year career as a custom harvester, partnering with Ike Pauls. He approached his livelihood as a worthwhile endeavor because he felt he was helping to feed the world.

His mission was to cut each field and deliver the grain as if he was the one that owned the land. His success was evident in that he cut many of the same fields for the same farmers from Texas to Montana, some for as many as 25 years.

During the winters he worked at jobs that included construction of the Hutchinson elevator, bus driving and electrician's helper. He was active as a Boy Scout leader.

In 1983, he retired from custom harvesting, and he and his wife traveled to South America, Europe and throughout North America. He enjoyed gardening and pool tournament competitions. He was devoted to helping others, often mowing a yard or clearing snow from others' driveways.

Survivors include his wife, Lovella; two children, Darrell and his wife, Holly Adrian, and Jean Olsen; a brother, Norman; a sister, Ruth Friesen; a sister-in-law, Helen Adrian; four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Services were held at Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church. Burial was in Buhler Cemetery.