Elmer Roswick

Elmer J. Roswick, 84, Bismarck, died Thursday, September 23, 2004. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 28, at 12:00 noon at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck with the Rev. Thomas Kramer officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, September 27, from 12:00 noon - 9:00 pm at Eastgate Funeral Service in Bismarck with a rosary at 7:00 pm. Elmer was born on November 22, 1919, in Menoken, ND, the sixth of seven children and the fourth son of Julius A. and Sina Berge Roswick. He attended school in Bismarck and graduated in 1938 from Bismarck High School. While attending school, Elmer worked part-time for Midwest Motor Express, Inc. as a truck driver. After graduation from North Dakota State University, Elmer entered the US Army Air Corps with a commission as a Second Lieutenant from the Reserve Officer Training Program at NDSU. Elmer married M. Eleanor Payseno from Denhoff, ND, in Meridian, MS, on July 30, 1942. Elmer served with distinction in Africa, Italy, Burma, and China and was discharged in 1945 as a Captain. Elmer returned to Bismarck to work for Midwest Motor Express. He retired from Midwest in 1986 as its Chairman and remained active in the company's operations until 1992. After his retirement, Elmer and Eleanor enjoyed spending time with family and friends at their cottage in Detroit Lakes, MN, and wintering in Mesa, AZ. Elmer was a long-time member of the VFW, Elks, and Knights of Columbus. He was a recipient of the US Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award 1953, 1980 Presidents Award from Minnesota Motor Transport Association, Pioneer Carrier Award from the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association, and the Business and Industrial Development Award from the Greater North Dakota Association. Elmer was a past President of Middlewest Motor Freight Bureau, Bismarck Chamber of Commerce, Bismarck Exchange Club, and many other professional and civic organizations. As a member of Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Parish, he was active in the Cathedral Lay Board, St. Mary's High School Board, God's Share Drive, and the St. Mary's High School Carnival. Elmer is survived by his wife, Eleanor; his brothers, John and Nels, Fargo, ND; three sons, John Junell and Bob Julie, Bismarck, and Bill, Grand Forks; four daughters, Jane Al Klein, Parker, CO, Peggy Mark Tool, Plymouth, MN, Pat Craig Juntti, Duluth, MN, and Ann Gene Ferguson, Wilton, CT; and seventeen grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Mary?s High School, Bismarck, ND.

Elmer Roswick

November 22, 1919 - September 23, 2004