Elmer Adams was born July 25, 1926, in Creston, Neb., to William and Arlene (nee Briard) Adams. He was the eldest of five children. He enjoyed hunting, trapping, and fishing while living in the Creston area. He often earned money for his family from hunting pheasants and rabbits and trapping. He had many fond memories of fishing with his grandfather, Elmer Briard, around Creston. He graduated from Humphrey High School in 1944 and joined the US Navy in June of that year. He was trained as a navigator and gunner in torpedo bombers and other aircraft before being honorably discharged in June 1946.

He married Evelyn Sander Nov. 22, 1949, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Lincoln, Neb. Evelyn worked at Union Pacific while Elmer attended Creighton University in Omaha. After graduation, Elmer became a Certified Public Accountant. He worked as an accountant and auditor, which later introduced him to the trucking industry. For many years he ran his own trucking company with refrigerated trucks traveling to both coasts. Prior to retirement, he had over seventy semi-trucks, a full complement of refrigerated trailers, and repair facilities. In addition, Elmer purchased farmland, of which some remains with the family today. He said he enjoyed being on a tractor alone, enjoying the outdoors as he planted. However, he could never acclimate to a “small” family garden, using a tractor to plow up the garden area and proceed to grow so much produce that his children would sell extra produce from a wagon in the neighborhood.

Elmer and Evelyn had seven children. They both emphasized the value of good educations for their children as well as for grandchildren and in-laws. Elmer and Evelyn were proud that among their seven children there were five bachelor degrees, four master degrees and one Ph.D., as well as two children with noteworthy technical training.

Neither Elmer nor Evelyn were demonstrative, but they had a strong love for each other and enjoyed many years together until

Evelyn’s death in 2009. They would spend relaxed evenings on the patio grilling steaks and enjoying a drink together after the children were in bed. They liked to travel by car together, beginning with their honeymoon to Carlsbad Caverns, including many years traveling to the Indy 500 together and even sneaking away to the West coast on their 50th Anniversary (although we strongly suspect they ere trying to avoid a surprise anniversary party…).

Elmer was preceded in death by Evelyn, his wife of 60 years; his parents William and Arlene (nee Briard) Adams; his eldest son, E. Stephen Adams; grandson, Jesse Penry; 3 siblings: Phyllis Kowal, Kenneth Adams, and Shirley Kemp; and brotherin- law Dr. Richard DeVries. He is survived by sons: Mark (Reinette) Adams, St. Johns, FL, Paul (Vickie) Adams, Crescent, Iowa, Scott (Kathy) Adams, Glenwood, Iowa, and Gene (Heidi) Adams, Weston, Neb.; daughter-in-law Vickie Adams, Omaha; daughters: Dr. Ann Adams (Chuck Skoog), Kansas City, Kan., and Mary Jo (Monte) Penry, Omaha; sister, Faye Ryan and sister-in-law, Dr. Jo Ann Devries; 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many dear nephews, nieces and friends. He also leaves behind his beloved Siamese cat, Wilson.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, and a Rosary at 7 p.m., Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, all at Braman Mortuary – 72 St. Chapel 1702 N. 72 St. Omaha, NE 68114. Graveside: 1:30 p.m., Friday, Oct 11, 2024, at Creston Fairview Cemetery.