Gregory Elsken
August 8, 1916 — November 6, 2009
Gregory Elsken
Gregory John Elsken, 93, died Friday, November 6, 2009, at University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock. Born in Subiaco on August 8, 1916, he was the youngest child of the Logan County pioneering family of Conrad and Gretchen (Kraemer) Elsken.
He was a graduate of Subiaco Academy, Class of 1935. He worked at a canning plant in Logan County before moving to Little Rock in 1936. There he found employment with the Arkansas Democrat and with the Railway Express Agency. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army, serving in the Pacific Theatre from 1942 to 1945 with the 27th Division of the 165th Infantry Regiment. He rose to the rank of sergeant, was distinguished as an Infantry Ranger, was wounded in battle on the island of Saipan, and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. After the war, he returned to Little Rock and resumed work with the Railway Express Agency (later named REA Express). In 1951, Mr. Elsken married Catherine Minden of Fort Smith. The couple made their home in Little Rock and had four daughters. After retiring from REA Express, Mr. Elsken opened Uncle Jack's Feed and Farm Supply on Highway 10 in Little Rock. He ran the business for 28 years before retiring again in 2004.
The Elskens were among the founding members of Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock. Mr. Elsken was very active in the church, serving as an usher and as an officer of the Men's Club. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He was preceded in death by his wife, as well as his brothers Bill Elsken, Ed Elsken and Toney Elsken and sisters, Margaret Elsken Beck, Mary Anne Elsken and Hermina Elsken Udouj.
Survivors include four daughters: Gretchen (Mike) Gowen, Mary Ruth (David) Williams, Katrina (Mark) Muros and Brigid (Drew) Galloway; seven grandchildren and two-greatgrandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 9, 2009, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4000 North Rodney Parham, Little Rock with a Rosary service following at 7:00 p.m. with Father Michael Bass officiating. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Christ the King on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. Monsignor Francis Malone will preside and Monsignor Gaston Hebert will be the homilist. Burial will follow at St. Benedict's Cemetery in Subiaco with Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB officiating. Pallbearers will include Joe C. Beck, Bill Beck, Lewis Beck, John Beck, Bill Elsken, Tom Udouj, Danny Udouj and Steve Udouj.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Monsignor Hebert Endowment Fund for the Christ the King School or the Subiaco Academy Foundation.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Mr. Elsken's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com
He was a graduate of Subiaco Academy, Class of 1935. He worked at a canning plant in Logan County before moving to Little Rock in 1936. There he found employment with the Arkansas Democrat and with the Railway Express Agency. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army, serving in the Pacific Theatre from 1942 to 1945 with the 27th Division of the 165th Infantry Regiment. He rose to the rank of sergeant, was distinguished as an Infantry Ranger, was wounded in battle on the island of Saipan, and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. After the war, he returned to Little Rock and resumed work with the Railway Express Agency (later named REA Express). In 1951, Mr. Elsken married Catherine Minden of Fort Smith. The couple made their home in Little Rock and had four daughters. After retiring from REA Express, Mr. Elsken opened Uncle Jack's Feed and Farm Supply on Highway 10 in Little Rock. He ran the business for 28 years before retiring again in 2004.
The Elskens were among the founding members of Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock. Mr. Elsken was very active in the church, serving as an usher and as an officer of the Men's Club. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He was preceded in death by his wife, as well as his brothers Bill Elsken, Ed Elsken and Toney Elsken and sisters, Margaret Elsken Beck, Mary Anne Elsken and Hermina Elsken Udouj.
Survivors include four daughters: Gretchen (Mike) Gowen, Mary Ruth (David) Williams, Katrina (Mark) Muros and Brigid (Drew) Galloway; seven grandchildren and two-greatgrandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 9, 2009, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4000 North Rodney Parham, Little Rock with a Rosary service following at 7:00 p.m. with Father Michael Bass officiating. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Christ the King on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. Monsignor Francis Malone will preside and Monsignor Gaston Hebert will be the homilist. Burial will follow at St. Benedict's Cemetery in Subiaco with Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB officiating. Pallbearers will include Joe C. Beck, Bill Beck, Lewis Beck, John Beck, Bill Elsken, Tom Udouj, Danny Udouj and Steve Udouj.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Monsignor Hebert Endowment Fund for the Christ the King School or the Subiaco Academy Foundation.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Mr. Elsken's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com
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