Elden Allen Reisetter

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, April 10th at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 517 Southwest Des Moines Street in Ankeny. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in rural Ellsworth, IA at 1:30 PM. Visitation will be 6 to 8 PM on Friday, April 9th at Ankeny Funeral Home.

Elden was born in Hampton, IA on March 31, 1931, baptized and confirmed in Allison’s St. James Lutheran Church. He graduated from Allison High School and received a Bachelor's Degree in music from Wartburg College and a Master's Degree in music from the University of Iowa.

Following his service with the United States Army Band, he taught instrumental music in Iowa’s Dumont, Garner, and Johnston schools.

As an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for 26 years, Elden sang baritone in the choir, participated in bible study and read scriptures at Sunday services. He also donated time with the Gideons of Iowa.

An enthusiastic performer, he was recognized for more than 50 years of entertaining audiences with the River City and Pride of Iowa Barbershop Choruses. He also kept the rhythm alive playing string bass in numerous bands, most recently the Johnston Station Jazz Band.

Constantly in motion, he ran the Iowa Classic Dam to Dam 20k 15 times, finished the Des Moines marathon in 4:19:00 (in pouring rain), achieved a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do at age 72, and followed that with an international pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

When not lacing his running, bowling or golfing shoes, he could be found gracing the parquet of famous dance halls like the Lake Robbins Ballroom. Elden also enjoyed his heritage; tracing both sides of his family tree and frequently attending annual Reisetter reunions.

Although his activities were many, he always offered a hand to those in need - be it an escort to the doctor, a trip to the store or just a friendly chat. His sense of humor, ever present grin and joy of spirit was infectious. He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he enriched.

A special thank you to those who, in his last months, made his life richer with care and friendship; from all the staff at the VA Hospital and CLC, his friends in faith at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and especially his angelic neighbors.

Elden is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Anna. Those celebrating his memory include his son, Erik (Susan), of Newport, MN, and his daughter, Gretchen, of Golden Valley, MN; their mother, Nancy, of Golden Valley; his sister, Carrie Ann (Reverend Ervin Langholz of Sun City, AZ); his nephews, David (Melissa) Langholz of Walker, MI; John (Karen) Langholz of Bann, Germany; Paul (Laurel) Langholz of Cedar Rapids, IA; and Mark (Lori) Langholz of Grafton, WI; as well as many more relatives and friends.

As a memorial, all flowers will be shared with the veterans and staff of the VA Hospital in Des Moines.