Elmer "Pee Wee" Cardinal died at his home in Crookston surrounded by his loving family on Friday, February 16, 2007.


Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 PM, Friday, February 23, 2007 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Tim Bushy presiding. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery of Red Lake Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held 5-8 PM on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Red Lake Falls, MN with a 7:00 PM prayer service. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Thursday.

Elmer Pee Wee Cardinal was born February 26, 1924 in Red Lake Falls, MN the son of Arthur and Alice (Marleau) Cardinal. Pee Wees father died when he was five years old. He and his brothers and sisters were raised by their mother. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. As a young boy he served as an alter boy.

Pee Wee quit school in his senior year to serve in the United States Army. He served from February 14, 1943 until being Honorably Discharged on January 5, 1946. Upon returning home he returned to high school and graduated in 1947.

On July 27, 1948 Elmer married the love of his life, Theresa Mary Hagl at St. Anthonys Church in Terrebonne. After they were married he worked at the Green Lantern for a few years. In 1950, Pee Wee and Theresa and their children moved to Chisholm, MN so Pee Wee could work for the U.S. Steel Mining Company. They lived also in Kinney and Buhl and had five more children.

The family returned to Red Lake Falls in June of 1968. Pee Wee worked checking milk for DHIA and as a custodian for Red Lake County at the court house. Pee Wee worked there until he was forced to quit because of bad health in 1976.

Pee Wees family was very important to him. He always enjoyed being with his wife and children. As the children grew up and became involved in sports, Pee Wee attended everything he could. He enjoyed watching his sons and daughters, grandchildren and many of his great grandchildren. The kids were always so excited when they saw Grandpa at the games. He will be missed by the kids, his own and all those who claimed him as their grandpa. Pee Wee was an avid Twins and Vikings fan. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Pee Wee was living in Crookston with his daughter, Karen Audette at the time of his death and was surrounded by his loving family. He will always be loved and missed by many.

Pee Wees family includes his children, Joyce (Elvin Bucky ) Wright of Fertile, MN; Janice (Fred, Jr.) Landman, Roger (Sally) Cardinal, Linda Tvedt all of Red Lake Falls, MN; Karen Audette of Crookston, MN; David (Fiance, Louella) Cardinal of Kansas; Dean (Wanda) Cardinal, Jay (Carla) Cardinal all of Red Lake Falls, MN; 25 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren; sisters, Neolla Melbye, of Crookston, MN and Ethel Herringbruck of Richmond, CA; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Cardinal of Washington and Anne Cardinal of Elk River, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

Pee Wee is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Theresa on November 7, 2003; parents; granddaughter, Mary Ann Landman; sons-in-law, Jerry Audette and Jim Tvedt; sisters, Eleanor Derouin, Alice Delage and Loucille Theroux; and brothers, Arthur, Philip, Ernest, Norman Butch , and Paul Cardinal.

ORGANIST: Polly Beyer
SPECIAL MUSIC: St. Joseph Schola
CASKETBEARERS: Darcy Cardinal, Aaron Cardinal, Nick Cardinal, Chad Cardinal, Casey Cardinal, Cory Cardinal, Derrick Cardinal
MILITARY HONORS: Red Lake Falls American Legion Post
READER: Dan Derouin