Elden W. Salwey

Elden W. Salwey, age 84, of rural Rushford, MN, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in La Crosse.

Elden was born on August 26, 1941, in Winona, to Williard and Clara (Ebert Lafka) Salwey, and attended local schools. He was united in marriage with Lila Mundon on December 26, 1961, at Peace Lutheran Church in Platteville, WI.

He honorably served his country with the United States Army Reserves from 1958 – 1963 and was a member of the American Legion Jackson – O’Meara Post 90 of Lewiston.

Elden was an active member of Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Wilson where he served on the church council, the building and grounds committee, and the committee for the new addition. He also served on the Fremont Creamery Board and was a member of the Root River Valley Tractor Club. As a member of the Lewiston Lions Club, Elden received the Melvin Jones Award, and he always enjoyed helping with their Chicken-Qs and pancake breakfasts.

A life-long dairy farmer, Elden represented the best of American farming through his hard work and providing for his family. He was proud to be recognized as a Winona County Century Farm, and for receiving the Soil and Conservation Award.

After retiring from farming, Elden kept busy by doing parts delivery for Peterbilt of Winona from 2004 to 2015, as well as taking bus trips and helping anyone in need.

He will be remembered for his love of nature and the outdoors where he enjoyed turkey and deer hunting, tractor rides, UTV rides around the farm, and his collection of Oliver tractors.

Elden's greatest joy in life was his family, and he loved to dote on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him the most.

Elden is lovingly survived by his wife, Lila; children: Martin (LeAnn) Salwey and Marie (Aaron) Schilling; grandchildren: Rachel (Michael) Duncanson; Derek Salwey; Thomas Luhmann; Grace (Caleb) Gravos; step-grandchild: Lauryn Schilling; great-grandchildren: Paisley and Dylan Luhmann; Charlotte and Emily Duncanson; Gus Gravos; with one on the way; sister: Jeanette Bergler; sister-in-law: Rose (Bill) Weber; brother-in-law: John Gebhart; as well as a niece, a newphew, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Robert Lafka; brother-in-law: Arnold Bergler; and a sister-in-law: Harriet Gebhart.

Visitation will be held at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 4 PM until 7 PM. Visitation will also be held at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Wilson, MN, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 10 AM until the funeral service at 11 AM. Pastor Jason Threlkeld will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials be directed to Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Wilson, Alzheimer’s Research, or to a charity of choice.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Elden’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.