Elmer Lorne Fadness

About Elmer

Elmer Lorne Fadness passed away August 18, 2022 at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo ND.

Elmer was born December 14, 1943 to Ellsworth and Pearl (Dreier) Fadness in Minot, North Dakota. Soon after graduating high school in Silver Bay, MN he married Shannon Marie Statler on December 1, 1961. Elmer and Shannon moved around North Dakota and Minnesota while he worked in various construction jobs. He joined the Steamfitters and Plumbers Union Local 126 based out of Detroit Lakes MN in 1967.

Soon after Elmer and Shannon moved to Bemidji, MN where they placed their roots to raise their family. It was at this time the entrepreneurial spirit of Elmer began to shine. He worked as an independent truck driver. He owned and operated a salvage company while at the same time working as a steamfitter.

Elmer and Dave Holmes started SOS Emergency Welding in 1984. In 1986, Elmer and Dave expanded their business into Northern Tier Technology & Fabrication servicing the surrounding wood plants and industries in Northern MN with industrial maintenance, metal and pipe fabrication. They operated this businesses together until 1996 when when the partnership dissolved. Elmer then started Mississippi Industrial Technology Services which he owned and operated until his death.

In the early 90’s, Elmer purchased The WindCalm, a 40-foot Bayliner cabin cruiser which enabled him and Shannon to continue their love for the North Shore. Elmer obtained his 500 ton captain’s license and purchased another boat and renamed it the Shannon Marie for his wife.

In 1993, he incorporated another business called Adventure Charters, Inc. based out of Grand Portage MN. Elmer did many fishing charters around Isle Royale. He and Shannon became well-known on the water. Elmer was a respected captain and fisherman. He definitely knew where the fish were. Many stories can be told about Elmer and Shannon of the fish they caught and the people they helped around the area.

Shannon passed away July 17, 2009. Elmer cherished the time spent with his wife on Isle Royale. From being a business man to developing his own computer program for metal and pipe fabrication, Elmer was a self-taught self-made man. His work ethic and knowledge were respected throughout the industry. If a job seemed hard or impossible, Elmer would get the call. There was never a job that couldn’t be done.

It was important to Elmer that he passed his knowledge down to future generations. Anyone that worked with or for him benefited from his experience and the lessons he taught. Even in retirement Elmer continued to keep himself busy with many projects. Elmer had 5 children: Scott, Tammy, Lynette, Shawn, Heather, and was always impressed by their individual talents and skills. Elmer wore many hats in his life. He was a pilot, a captain and fishing guide, a businessman, a truck driver, a steamfitter, an oiler, a junk man, a small time farmer, all around great mechanic, part of the A-Team for boiler house steamfitter rigging gang, a mentor, and a teacher but most importantly a husband, father, grandfather, great great grandfather, brother, uncle.

Elmer is survived by his children: Scott (Libby), Lynette, Shawn (Chelle), Heather (Jason), 9 grandchildren and 13 great great grandchildren, brother Steve (Deedee), sister-in-laws Darlene, Carol and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceeded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Shannon, daughter Tammy, brothers Melvin, Alvin, Dale, Clifford, infant siblings Laverna, Bruce, Brucene, and great great grandson William.

memorial service

Funeral services are pending.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home