He was born Sept. 9, 1942 in Lenora, the son of William and Myrtle (Craig) Elling. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He attended Lenora schools.

He married Carol Schulze on June 5, 1965 in Ransom. He was a lab technician at the Norton County Hospital.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; a son, Bradley Elling of Gladstone, Mo.; a daughter, Kristi Stutterheim, Hutchinson: a sister, Marvalee Garrison, Ness City; and three grandchildren.

Burial in the Norton Cemetary.