Elroy Aslakson

Elroy Francis Aslakson of Lee's Summit, Missouri and long-time resident of Independence, Missouri passed away on March 16, 2023. He was born on July 10, 1932, in Belle Creek Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota, to Joseph and Josephine (Timmerberg) Aslakson. After graduating in 1950 from Red Wing High School he volunteered for the Air Force and served with the 6147th Tactical Control Group (Mosquitoes) in Korea from October 1954 to October 1955.

Elroy graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He earned his Professional Engineering credential and during his career worked at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Wilcox Electric in Kansas City, Missouri; and the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. Professional milestones include his work connecting early satellites with mobile communications platforms, including U.S. military Jeeps and the President’s Air Force One.

Elroy volunteered with the Boy Scouts as a District Commissioner and Explorer Advisor. He earned the Wood Badge, received the Silver Beaver Award and the District Award of Merit, and was a member of the Tribe of Mic-o-say. He also volunteered with the Camp Fire Girls, receiving the Shawnaquas Service Award, and with the National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence, Missouri, guiding school children through the history of westward U.S. migration as a Museum Educator.

Elroy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Independence, Missouri for over 40 years, serving the church as a Deacon and Trustee and working tirelessly for many years to maintain the historic building.

Outside of his volunteer work, Elroy enjoyed deer hunting and traveling. He visited almost every state in the continental United States and took several extended trips in his RV to Alaska. He also traveled to Norway where he toured the country and met his cousins on their farm in Telemark District. Elroy was a passionate storyteller and loved to tell stories of his work, his travels, and his family. Among his many projects was a book that included stories he collected from extended family members, historical family pictures, and a genealogical table tracing his ancestry to Norway.

Elroy is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary (McKemy) Aslakson; his son, James Aslakson; daughter Gwendolyn (Aslakson) Blotevogel, her husband Matthew, and their children, Elisabeth and Catherine; daughter Jane (Aslakson) Fixen, her husband Lee, and their children, Erin and Megan; and his sister, Lila (Aslakson) Rice. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Arlene (Aslakson) Rauchwarter, Vernice Aslakson, Melroy Aslakson, Jeanette (Aslakson) Hines, and Lorraine (Aslakson) Escritt.

A visitation and memorial service with military honors will be on Friday, March 24 at First Presbyterian Church in Independence, Missouri. Visitation begins at 11:00am with the memorial to follow at 12:00pm.

The family encourages memorial donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (michaeljfox.org/tribute) or to Lavelock Cemetery in Hardin, Missouri (cityofhardin.com/lavelock-cemetery). Plans are pending for interment in Lavelock Cemetery.