Ellend Junior Palmer

Ellend J. Palmer, 93, Fargo, died Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Bethany on University in Fargo, ND.

E.J. or Junior, as Ellend was known, was born April 17, 1922 in Clifford, ND to Ellend O. and Agnes (Quam) Palmer. He grew up in Fargo, graduated from Fargo Central High School and attended NDAC (now NDSU) and Interstate Business College.

E.J. worked at the Merchants National Bank in Fargo, then moved to Seattle, WA, where he worked for Boeing as an aviation engineer. In 1942, while in Seattle, he married Grace Bergan, also from Fargo.

He enlisted in the Army and reported in the spring of 1943. He was assigned to the 1902 Engineer Aviation Battalion, nicknamed the "Wild Deuces." He began his duty at Washington State's Geiger Field and then was deployed to the Pacific theater with his unit. His unit built airstrips in Hawaii and islands dotting the Pacific Ocean, all leading to Japan. He said that on many of the islands he traded his pick and shovel for a rifle and bayonet. His unit saw combat action in the Philippines, on Fukuoka, Ie Shima, and Sasebo. He was in combat on Okinawa, the bloodiest battle of the War in the Pacific. His unit was the first to land in Nagasaki just three days after the atomic bomb was dropped. They were there to build an airstrip for Marines to land at the devastated city. After the treaty was signed, and he was honorably discharged, E. J. returned to Fargo and his wife Grace. For most of his remaining life, he was very reluctant to talk about his war experiences; however, in recent years, he enjoyed his meetings with his Disabled American Vets group.

E. J. worked for Parker Pen Co. for several years. Then, in the 1950’s, along with two friends, started Group Health, an early insurance company that later became a major health insurance company. He also worked as a salesman for Bell Telephone Yellow Pages, winning Salesman of the Year awards many times. He served on the commission that wrote the Home Rule Charter for Fargo. Following his retirement, he joined his wife in her business, Accent Realty, which specialized in real estate appraisals, sales and management.

Junior and Grace enjoyed entertaining friends, their bridge club, dance club, potluck, and most especially their summers at their lake home on Pelican Lake, where family still gathers. Every holiday was a big family celebration at their home.

Junior remained in his home until shortly before his death, with help from his caregiver, Lanette Krinsky, and Fargo grandchildren Jennifer Younggren, Kris Baumann and Dan Palmer. He telephoned his children and grandchildren daily, always finishing his calls by asking if they needed something or if there was anything he could do for them.

Ellend is survived by his daughter, Pam (Bob) Younggren, Fargo; sons, Greg (Val) Palmer, New Market, MN and Tom (Rene) Palmer, Mead, OK; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace, his son, Steve, and sisters, Joyce Palmer Strong and Ellen Ann Palmer Folschow.