The Excelsior Standard, May 10, 2024

Elson Gene Berndt entered his eternal home Monday, April 29, 2024. He was a lifelong resident of Excelsior Springs.

Elson was born April 25, 1943, in Liberty to Elson Berndt and Melva (Clevenger) Berndt.

He married his high school sweetheart, Rita L. Mayes, on Sept. 22, 1962.

Elson graduated in 1961 from Excelsior Springs High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, proudly serving 1961-1963 in North Dakota and Reykjavik, Iceland.

He loved the outdoors and spent as much time as possible outside, hunting, fishing, gardening and taking care of the deer, turkey and birds on his acreage. He spent the last several years keeping his daughter-in-law, sons and other family members in plenty of firewood.

In 1963, he joined the Lutheran Church. Mount Calvary Lutheran was his church home for more than 60 years. He loved serving the Lord and serving the church. Elson was an elder in the church. He served in several offices and across many committees. He especially enjoyed mowing the church lawn for many years with his John Deere tractor.

Elson was proud of his family and loved them all. His six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren always put a smile on his face.

Survivors include his wife Rita of the home; sons, Martin Berndt (Susan) of Kansas City and Todd Berndt (Prisilla) of Montgomery, Texas; sister, Paulette of Excelsior Springs; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert L. Berndt.

He will be laid to rest at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Higginsville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Elson’s honor to Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Excelsior Springs.