Alden Milan Elland, age 94, of Blair, died on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 in the Grand View Care Center in Blair.

Alden was born at home in Blair to Milan and Alida (Thurston) Elland on April 12, 1918. He graduated from the Blair High School and married Arvilla Ellison on October 5, 1940 in Blair. Arvilla preceded Alden in death on January 17, 1999.

Alden worked in the oil fields in Arkansas, drove for the Greyhound Bus Company, farmed on the family farm, owned and operated the Phillips 66 Gas Station in Blair, worked for Olson's LP Gas Company and worked for the town of Preston. Alden also worked with the Green Thumb projects for the Perot Park Parks and Recreation Department.

Alden was the activities assistant for the Grand View Care Center for 20 years and in 2008 received the WHCA Shining Star Award for the state of Wisconsin, being nominated by the nursing home for support staff of the year.

Alden was active in his church having taught Sunday School and was superintendant. He enjoyed building furniture, rebuilding guns and checkered gun stocks. Alden was a wood carver since 1980 and was famous for his Santa Claus carvings.

Alden is survived b a daughter, Rose Marie Bailey of
Blair; two grandsons,
Craig Bailey of Trempealeau and Tony (Paula) Bailey of Black River Falls; five great-grandchildren, Jessica (Robert) Johnson, Nicole (Jon) Fick, Brittany, Zachary and Jeremy Bailey; two great-great-grandchildren, Kasha Bailey and Catherine Johnson.

In addition to his parents and wife, Alden was preceded in death by six siblings, Mildred (Elmer) Jahr, Luella (Almond) Briggs, Hillard (Florence) Elland, Lorene (Charles) Dorrence, James and Edward Elland.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in the Blair Lutheran Church East with burial in the Rest Haven Cemetery both in Blair. Pastors Barbara Bruneau and Toby Ellison will officiate.

Visitation will be Friday, February 1, 2013 from 4-7 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Blair and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.