Burton "Burt" Lamb Elvig, 93, of Eau Claire, died at Azura Memory Care on February 20, 2016. He was born in Little Falls, Minnesota on May 28, 1922, the son of Hans and Ethyl (Lamb) Elvig. Burt graduated from Marshall High School in Minneapolis. He served in the U. S. Army, World War II, and was honorably discharged in 1946. His most honored assignment was as Searchlight Commander in Hawaii shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. (Ready, Aim, Flick!) When he returned home, he completed his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota in 1948 and married Ruth Mosling on September 2, 1950. Burt was a Boy Scout Leader and Assistant Scoutmaster, a member of the Lions Club, and Osman Temple Shriners. Burt also served in many different capacities in the churches of which they were members in MI, FL, WI, MN and IL. Burt spent 21 years with 3M as a salesman in their Coated Abrasives division. In 1969, with Ruth by his side, Burt began and operated Abrasive Systems, Inc., which was later sold to their employees upon their retirement. Many family hours were spent together helping the family business succeed. In his spare time, Burt loved fishing, telling jokes (some were good ones), tinkering in his garage and spending time with family (especially his Ruthie). He and Ruth worked hard to put all 5 children through college and always supported them all in their interests. In his 60s Burt and Ruth obtained their scuba license and in their 70's obtained private pilot licenses. They joined the Washington Island Flying Club and EAA as new pilots. Together they both served in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Naples, Florida and Washington Island, Wisconsin. "Uncle Burt" could pull a quarter out of ears of children and shake every hand with a contagious smile. He made "world famous" pancakes on Sunday mornings that were always "lousy" (not really, but we told him that so he would try again)! He loved to fish but was really not good at catching them. He never let others buy him lunch - claiming their money was "no good." He quietly touched many lives through countless acts of kindness. Each of his grandchildren stole his heart the day they were born - he cared for them with immeasurable love. They will be the first to say, "Grandpa, you are a gentleman and a horse thief." Burt is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth; four children, Glenn (Patty Peterson) Elvig, Dave (Robin) Elvig, John (Beth) Elvig and Andrea (Dean) Blosberg; ten grandchildren, Danielle Most, Hans (Sonja) Harlane, Sophie Elvig, Anna Elvig, Gretel Elvig, Lauren Elvig, Caroline Elvig, Jessica Blosberg, Emily Blosberg and Peter Blosberg. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Laura Louise Elvig Most; and his three brothers, Kenneth, Darryl, and Stanley. Memorial services for Burt will be held at a later date. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and Cremation Services is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National MS Society, Habitat for Humanity or the Susan G Komen Foundation. To express condolences or share Burt stories online, please visit obituaries at www.lenmarkfh.com

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