Rome, Elmer Dale

Elmer Dale Rome, 87, died peacefully Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, after a brave battle with cancer at his home in Rosemount, Minn. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Guttenberg, with the Rev. Marvin Bries officiating. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Guttenberg. Arrangements are being handled by Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 207 S. First, Guttenberg, Iowa, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and one hour before service Saturday at the church.

Elmer was born Sept. 17, 1923, in Fargo, N.D., to Ole and Emma (Kommer) Rome. He graduated from Hibbing High School in Hibbing, Minn., and enlisted with the Navy. As a fighting Sea Bee, he fought for our freedom at the battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945. When he returned from World War II, he was joined in marriage to Mary Ellen Steichen on July 5, 1946, in Keewatin, Minn. As a business entrepreneur, he was considered a pioneer in the mobile home and modular housing industries. He owned and operated Hilton Homes, Castle Towers and Trademark Homes and enjoyed funding many other entrepreneurial projects and businesses.

He and Mary Ellen lived in Guttenberg, from 1957 to 1986. They spent their retirement years in Arizona and Minnesota and enjoyed traveling the U.S. Elmer was an avid golfer and founding member of the Guttenberg Golf Course. He supported many community projects including the Guttenberg Nursing Home. He was a major benefactor to several charitable organizations including the Guttenberg Library, St. Mary's Church, Divine Word Seminary, St. Joseph's Indian School and the Boy Scouts.

His wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his love and joy. Family get-togethers and events were the most cherished times of his life.

He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Barbara (Dick) Schoenauer of Dubuque, daughter-in-law, Jean Rome of Lincolnton, N.C., Kathy (Paul) Krieg of Colesburg, Mary Ann (Doug) Osborne of Ham Lake, Minn., Patrick (Maurna) Rome of Albert Lea, Minn., Michael Rome of Hopkins, Minn., John (Shelly) Rome of Mesa, Ariz., Jayne (Colin) Schultz of Hampton, Minn., Brian (Tegwin) Rome of Chanhassen, Minn., and TJ (Michele) Rome of Rosemount, Minn.; grandchildren, Steven (Lori) Schoenauer, Lisa (Greg) Rossmiller, Tiffany and Amy Rome, Shannon (Steven) Bridges, Jennifer (Brad) McClimon, Chris (Susan) Krieg, Kristy (Tuck) Foree, Joseph Osborne, Alex, Ben and Molly Rome, Maggie and Annie Rome, Tony, Emma and Elle Schultz, Abigail, Noah, Caleb, Olivia and Sophia Rome and Andrew and Caitlyn Rome; great-grandchildren, Hunter and Cade Schoenauer, Grace, Ally and Sienna Rossmiller, Lauren and Evan McClimon, Brianna and Lillian Krieg, Madeline and Claire Foree and Mary Ellen Bridges; his sister, Caryl Sarago; and many nieces and nephews.

Elmer was greeted in heaven by the love of his life, Mary Ellen; his son, Roy Rome; his granddaughter, Heather Rome; his great-granddaughter, Addison Krieg; his mother, Emma Rome; his brothers, Oliver Rome and Roy Rome; and his sisters, Gladyce Holtzbauer, Dorothy Molesky, Delores Marinaro and Donna Johnson.

Condolences may be left at

In remembrance of Elmer's strong belief in education, the family requests that memorials be given to the Guttenberg Public Library, 603 S. Second St., Guttenberg, IA 52052; or the charity of your choice.