Elio Joseph Guidarelli

Elio Joseph Guidarelli, of Savage, went to be with the Lord the afternoon of August 31, 2015 at the age of 91. A Celebration of Life Service is Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at 11:00 AM with a gathering time one hour prior to the service at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Lakeville. Reverend Bill Bronkema and Reverend Mike Shields will preside. Elio will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery during a private family interment. Full Military Honors will be provided by Fort Snelling. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed by Elio’s family in his honor.

On November 25, 1923 Giuseppe and Rose (Costantini) Guidarelli celebrated the birth of their son, Elio Joseph Guidarelli. Elio was one of six children in his family. He loved growing up in Buhl, Minnesota. Elio was a mischievous boy, and he was always getting himself in some sort of trouble on the football field or in the classroom. Elio was so naughty that he still owes Buhl High School 400 hours of detention.

After graduating from High School Elio wanted to enlist in the Army, but his dad wouldn’t let him since he was only 17. So Elio attended a junior college while waiting to be drafted. When he was finally drafted, Elio proudly served his country during World War II. He spent time in Scotland, France and Italy with the 88th Infantry as a Blue Devil. Elio was badly injured in Italy. Elio was honorably discharged and received many decorations for his courageous service. He spent more than a year recovering in different hospitals in Europe and the U.S., but he finally made it home.

Once home, Elio enrolled in the University of Minnesota and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering. After college he worked Cargil and established research on soybeans. In 1960 he left Cargil and began working for a Steele company. He also did more work on soy bean research, and Elio had become a very proud, arrogant and wealthy man. He had big plans for himself, but God had even bigger plans. Elio was in a terrible car accident that he should not have walked away from. He survived the accident and put his faith back in the Lord.
During this same time, Elio reconnected with a woman he had known during his time with Cargil. Elio and Louise began dating, and their love quickly grew. On January 10, 1970 Elio married the love of his life. He was a wonderful husband for nearly 46 years. Elio always said that Louise was his road to salvation. Elio and Louise were blessed with two wonderful children, Mark and Gina.

Elio and Louise settled in Michigan to raise their family, but after five years, they returned home to Minnesota. When Elio’s work opportunity fell through, he went back to Michigan while Louise raised the children in Minnesota. Although there were many miles between them, they were always a very close family and loved each other deeply. Eventually Louise was able to join Elio back in Michigan, and they lived there for 15 years while Elio ran a small construction company. He was a hard worker, and very talented at everything he did. When Elio finally retired, he and Louise moved back to Minnesota.

Throughout his life, Elio was a huge sports fan. He cheered on all of the local teams, especially the Vikings, and this is an interest he passed on to his family. In retirement, Elio and Louise were able to take many trips together. They visited Italy, Alaska, Florida and the West Coast. No matter where they went, it was always an adventure. Elio was a wonderful writer, and many of the articles he submitted to local papers touched people’s lives.

He had many interests, but the two most important things in his life were family and faith. Throughout his life, Elio put God first and was fortunate to have the opportunity to share his story with others. Elio and Louise were always very active in their church. They helped to establish greeter and usher programs, taught Sunday School, and led bible studies. Elio lived his life as a strong Christian man, and this allowed him to be a wonderful husband, father and grandpa.

Elio overcame so many obstacles throughout his life. He was a kind, generous and strong man. He will be deeply missed and remembered always by his loving wife, Louise Guidarelli; children, Mark (Lisa) Ollila, Gina Louise (Billy Kaiser) Guidarelli; grandchildren, Naomi, Natalie, Giuseppe, Rosalina, Rosangela, Giovanni; brother, William (Judy) Guidarelli; other relatives and friends.

The Guidarelli family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation.

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