Elden Palmer's Obituary
Elden Guvakosky Palmer (96) of Castro Valley, CA, formerly of Butte, ND, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2020.
He was born on July 22, 1924 to Nick Guvakosky and Agnes (Nechiporenko) Guvakosky at their homestead near Butte, ND. He attended school in Butte and played on the high school football team.
During WWII, Elden enlisted with the United States Army at Fort Snelling, MN on June 18, 1943. He served as a tank mechanic in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater driving tanks. He earned the Philippine Liberation Medal with One Bronze Service Star and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal. Elden was honorably discharged on January 18, 1946.
After serving in the army, he attended college at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND and Minot Teachers College in Minot, ND. After graduating, he set his sights for a warmer climate and landed in the San Francisco, CA Bay Area. He began his teaching career in St. Helena, CA where he was a math and science high school teacher for approximately 12 years. Elden then started his second career as a cost accountant with a construction company Gallagher and Burk in Oakland, CA. Eventually, he supervised road and bridge construction projects.
During his later years, he kept busy with several rental units and helped neighbors with their home repair jobs. Elden enjoyed square dancing, was proud of his bowling trophies and was quite a crafty chess player. He would always say, “Chess is fuel for the brain!” He was an avid sports enthusiast too, where he would often be found cheering on his favorite baseball, football and basketball teams -- San Francisco Giants and 49ers, Oakland A’s and Raiders and the Golden State Warriors.
He traveled often to Richmond, CA to assist his mother Agnes and sister Mae with grocery shopping, medical appointments and numerous handyman jobs. Mae recently passed away on June 21, 2020 at the age of 98.
Elden is survived by his brother Kayton Palmer (95) of Sioux Falls, SD, sister-in-law Evangeline Guvakosky; nieces Sheila Guvakosky, Cryslynn (David) Walker and Dori Axness; nephew David (Jayme) Palmer; and several great nieces and nephews.
Elden was preceded in death by his father Nick Guvakosky, mother Agnes Guvakosky/Palmer, brother William (Bill) Guvakosky, sister Mae Palmer, sister-in-law Marilyn Palmer and niece Katherine Palmer.
Elden’s final resting place will be at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA.
To ensure the health and safety of our community, we are following all guidelines set by local, state and CDC officials. If you are planning on attending a service, please contact the funeral home in advance, so that we can plan accordingly.
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