W. Dennis Elder, 68, Bison, Kansas, died Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, La Crosse, Kansas.
Dennis was born September 4, 1951, in La Crosse, Kansas, the son of Leonard D. and N. JoAnne (Hall) Elder. He was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas. A 1969 graduate of Bison Rural High School, Bison, Kansas, he was a farmer.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Church Choir, the Bison Community Museum, and a 43 year member of Rural Fire District 5, where he served as Fire Chief for many years, all of Bison, Kansas. Dennis served as the mayor of Bison for many years. He was also a 4-H leader for 30 years, a member of the Rush County Historical Society, Walnut City Masonic Lodge #215, MOPAC Historical Society, and the KOSMO (Kansas Organization for Space Modeling).
On August 12, 1972, he married Edith “Edie” Eitel at the United Methodist Church, Bison, Kansas.
Survivors include: his wife, Edith “Edie” Elder, Bison, Kansas; one son, William Elder (Sylvia), Kansas City, Missouri; two daughters, Joanna McAlister (Greg), St. John, Kansas, and Emily Little (Matt), De Soto, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Garrett McAlister, Lilly McAlister, Addison McAlister, Rosa Elder, Calixta Elder, Kadee Little, and Whitlee Little; his mother, N. JoAnne Elder, La Crosse, Kansas; and two sisters, Kathy Holopirek (Rick), Bison, Kansas, and Lori Collins (Charles), Omaha, Nebraska.
He was preceded in death by his father; and an infant sister, Karen Elder.
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 8, 2020, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas.
Graveside service will be Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at 10:30 A.M. at Lone Star Cemetery, Bison, Kansas, with Pastor Angie Vertz officiating. Interment will be in the Lone Star Cemetery, Bison, Kansas.
Social distancing is recommended at the graveside service, so please bring your lawn chairs. Masks are recommended. Due to Covid 19, if you have a fever, cough, or are not feeling well, please send condolences via the on line guestbook, or mail.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to the W. Dennis Elder Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.
