Elton Hornseth, 66, died on Monday, January 24, 2011 at Clearbrook Good Samaritan Center in Clearbrook, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:30 PM with a 7:30 PM prayer service on Friday, January 28, 2011 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday. Burial will follow the funeral service at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls.

Elton Duane Hornseth was born on April 27, 1944 in Thief River Falls, MN the son of Theodore and Hannah (Weber) Hornseth. He was baptized, confirmed and married in the Lutheran faith and was a current member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Elton attended Northrup Elementary School and Lincoln High School, graduating in 1962. He was the Homecoming King and captain of the basketball and football team at Lincoln. After high school, Elton attended Bemidj State University on a football scholarship. He later transferred to NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND where he graduated with a commercial refrigeration degree.

On June 15, 1968 Elton was united in marriage to Linda DeGroat at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Callaway, MN. They made their home in Bothel, WA for a couple of years. Elton and Linda returned to Thief River Falls to raise their family and farm. Elton inherited the passion of farming from his father and grandfather at the age of five, and passed the legacy to his children and grandchildren. Starting in 1974 until his retirement in 2007, Elton worked as an Engineer for the Soo Line " CP Rail.

With the heart of a mountain man, he enjoyed hunting and camping, and everything about the outdoors. Spending time hunting with his children and friends were very important to him. The Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag was a yearly event that Elton did not miss as he was a lifetime member and volunteer. He was a proud alumni of Lincoln High School and NDSCS, as well as an avid sports enthusiast. Elton really enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports. Elton had a real mechanical sense, and liked to restore antique equipment which became one of his favorite hobbies. Daily coffee time was something that Elton rarely missed. He enjoyed the companionship and camaraderie of his friends which gave him time to talk politics and solve the worlds problems.

Elton is survived by his loving wife, Linda of 43 years; his children, Melinda (Neal) Helle of Red Lake Falls, Todd (Mary) Hornseth of Thief River Falls and Jesse (Michelle) Hornseth of Thief River Falls; grandchildren, Stephen Sorenson, Joshua Sorenson, Connor Helle, Brooke Hornseth, Maryn Hornseth, Jonah Hornseth, and Grace Hornseth; sisters, Beverly Rongen and Barbara Wheaton of Washington State, Patricia (Norman) Machart of the Twin Cities; many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

ORGANIST: Wanda Vigness
SPECIAL MUSIC: Elton's Son, Jesse and Elton's Grandchildren, Brook and Maryn Hornseth, Judy Olson and Luke Kaushagen
SELECTIONS: "Christmas Melody", "The Lord's Prayer", "Life's Railway to Heaven", and "Long Black Train"
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace & Jesus Loves Me
PALLBEARERS: Eltons grandchildren, Stephen and Joshua Sorenson, and Jonah Hornseth and Eltons friends, Marty Reierson, Marland Johnson, Allan Moorehead, and Luke Kaushagen
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All of Eltons fellow Soo Line and CP Rail Engineers