Elbe Fred Sexton

Elbe Sexton, 93, of Fargo, ND, slipped the surly bonds of earth and touched the face of God on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at Villa Maria, Fargo.

Elbe Fred Sexton was born May 17, 1921 in Lockwood, MO to Ruel and Laura (Moen) Sexton. He grew up in Lockwood, and graduated from Lockwood High School in 1938. He worked as a station clerk for the St. Louis San Francisco Railroad Co. in Deepwater, MO. Elbe entered the US Army on September 25, 1942 and served as a Sergeant in the Aleutian Islands as a 30-caliber machine gun squad leader in Company H 184th Infantry Regimen 7th Division.

He was a highly decorated member of the military, receiving the Kwajalein Campaign Battle Star, Leyte Campaign Battle Star, Aleutian Island Campaign Battle Star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and WWII Victory Medal. He was wounded on the island of Leyte on January 4, 1945, after which he spent 11 months in the hospital, later receiving a Purple Heart for his service.

Elbe married Kathryn Marie Dreger on January 15, 1946 in Chippewa Falls, WI. While in Chippewa Falls he worked for First National Bank where he worked with Dell Palmer. When Dell moved to Fargo to work for Fargo National Bank, he invited Elbe to come along, which is what brought him and Kathryn to Fargo. They were founding members of Faith United Methodist Church in Fargo. He worked for Fargo National Bank for 33 years, attaining the position of President in his later years.

Elbe was proud to be a charter member of the C400 group at Concordia College.

Elbe and Kathryn raised their two children, Dan and Carol, in Fargo. They spent a lot of time camping and traveling as a family.

Elbe was a man of great faith and strong moral character. He had a passion for life, and was a mentor for many and a friend to everyone he met. He was well-known in the business community, and everywhere he went he saw someone he knew and greeted them warmly.

He was involved with numerous civic organizations throughout his working life, believing strongly in giving back to the community through service. The VFW, AmVets, and the United Way of Cass Clay are among the organizations that he supported.

After retirement, Elbe and Kathryn spent their winters in AZ enjoying the warm weather and time with friends and family. In the early ’90’s, they sold their AZ residence as Alzheimer’s began to take its toll on Kathryn. They also spent time in the summer camping at Vagabond Village near Pelican Rapids, MN, where they made many close friends. Elbe was Kathryn’s sole caregiver for over 7 years during her illness. They lived at Riverview Place Retirement Community together, where they made many close friendships and Elbe volunteered after Kathryn’s death in 2001.

Elbe was influential in his granddaughters’ lives as both a mentor and a father-figure, lovingly providing them with wisdom and guidance.

Elbe became a resident of Villa Maria in 2011.

Elbe is survived by his son, Dan (JoAnn) Sexton, Minot, ND; daughter, Carol Sexton, Fargo, ND; granddaughters, Kellie (Anthony) VonBank, Belle Plaine, MN; Lisa Anderson, Fargo, ND; great-grandchildren, Alexander, Elena, and Nicholas Elbe VonBank; Kadence Anderson; sister, Annalee Meister, Prescott, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews, including special nephew Dale (Norma) Sexton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Kathryn; brothers, Eldon and Homer; sisters, Opal and Clara. He was also preceded in death by his second wife, Lois Baasch-Sexton.