Jerome (Jerry) John Eltgroth
August 21, 1946 – January 14, 2023
Savage, MN, USA
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high unsurpassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
~Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee
Jerry Eltgroth
Jerome (Jerry) John Eltgroth of Savage, MN, passed away peacefully at home on January 14, 2023. Jerry was born in Fairmont, MN, on August 21, 1946, to Mabel and Glen Eltgroth. He attended Fairmont High School and Mankato State University before joining the U.S. Army.
Jerry married his college sweetheart Mary and together they had two children, Keri and Mike. Jerry was a pilot in the Army, flying the OV-1 Mohawk, and served in Vietnam. Following his military career, he returned to Minnesota to work for the airlines as an instructor. Jerry continued to fly and enjoyed his time with the Mohawk community through the American Wings Air Museum.
Jerry is survived by his wife Mary; children Keri and Mike (Judi); grandson Eliott and grandchildren Ian and Ilissa; sister Karon; siblings-in-law Candace, Wayne, Joetta, Karla, and Tere; and his beloved dog Muddy. He is preceded in death by his father Glen, mother Mabel, and sister Colleen. We will all miss Jerry’s quick wit, generous nature, and love of family.
Fly high, Jerry.