ELWYN “Swede” J. GLOVER, 77, of Lincoln passed away on October 10, 2014 at Bryan East surrounded by his family after a sudden battle with cancer. Elwyn was born in Pilger, NE to Franklin and Ellen (Gemelke) Glover on Nov. 5, 1936; baptized at St. John’s Lutheran in 1938 and confirmed in 1951. Graduating Pilger High in 1955 he served 3 ½ years in the US Army based in Germany and France in the Artillery Missile Brigade. A beloved father and husband he was joined in marriage to Mary Negley in June, 1962; together they raised two children. He retired from Quebecor in 2004.
Elwyn served in the early years of Lincoln Lutheran Formation; served six years with the Orphan Grain Train in Lincoln; League President of Lincoln Midget Football since 1983; refereed High School Football for many years; umpired Triple A Softball at Ballard Field; served as Scout Master of Troop 24; worked on the Board of Properties for Cornhusker Council; he was an Elder at his church, taught Sunday School for many years; received many awards for his community service; enjoyed working with young people and loved the Lord.
Preceded in death by his parents; brother, Verilyn; and sister, Marlee Willis.
Survived by his wife Mary; daughter Suzanne (Chris) Walla of Bellevue; son, Brian (Gina) Glover of Lincoln; brothers, Bob (Darlene) of Oregon, Nordell of Kansas, and Darwyn (Pat) of Dakota City, NE; grandchildren, Andrew and Jeanette Glover of Lincoln, and Nicole Walla of Bellevue; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 18, 2014 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2001 S. 11th St., Lincoln with Rev. Jeffrey Bloom officiating. Family burial will be at a later date. Memorials are suggested to: Lincoln Midget Football, Red Cross Lincoln Chapter, Boy Scouts of America Cornhusker, Lincoln Lutheran High School, or Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Swede was an amazing person with a heart for service. He was a leader who showed others the way through his service to so many organizations. He will be remembered as a very giving man with a big heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this time of loss.
We are heartbroken. Elwyn wasn’t just our uncle he was a friend and he will be missed.
God Bless
Swede was both a mentor and a friend. Throughout my many years associated with Lincoln Midget Football, Swede’s leadership and love for the players were always the foundation of that great organization. He will be sorely missed by me and everyone associated with LMF.
I got to know Swede through Lincoln Midget Football, first as a player and then eventually through volunteering with LMF myself. Last night when I heard he had passed away I became extremely sad, but quickly thought about a Bible passage that a friend had shared with me earlier that same evening: “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.” (Colossians 3:23-24).
I thought about this passage because even in his seventies, Swede worked with more passion and energy than anyone. He worked heartily, as for the Lord. His enthusiasm for mentoring the youth of our area has been unsurpassed for decades and he will be sorely missed. I am saddened by our loss, but smile that Swede is surely receiving his reward of the inheritance.
Sorry to hear the news. Swede was a great man and friend. I always enjoyed working at the football complex on his equipment as I worked for Stutheit John Deere. My thoughts and prayers go out to all family and friends. What this man has done over his lifetime will have folks remembering him for a very, long time.
I also had the privilege of getting to know Swede through Lincoln Midget Football. He was a kind man, who for decades, served as the leader of countless young men. His presence out at the LMF fields will be greatly missed. My sympathies go out to the entire Glover family and to all others who knew and loved Swede.
My condolences to the family at this very difficult time. I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort from God’s word the Bible at Revelation 21:3,4.
So sorry to hear about Swede. I was confirmed and married at Immanuel. I have very good memories of Swede. He was always so supportive He had a very fun sense of humor. May the Lord be with his family and friends. I will keep you in my prayers.
Where does a son begin! My father was my best friend! He taught me so many things that I have used throughout my life. In the beginning it was church getting to know the Lord, than scouting, all kinds of sports, building all kinds of things, maintenance, and of course his most love of all Lincoln Midget Football. He was involved and spent a great deal of time in so much community service that it would be hard to beat in comparison with others. He loved serving the Lord at his church with being a teacher and elder. He enjoyed working with Lincoln Lutheran High School, Orphan Grain Train in Lincoln with the main office in Grand Island, the Norfolk Jaycees, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and donating blood to the Red Cross in the past. My father loved serving in the Boy Scouts of America, as a Scoutmaster, Order of the Arrow, and of course the scout camp. My father was always so energetic, he was never satisfied unless everything was taken care of. Once he finished something he would have something else in line ready to go. My father truely cared for his fellow man! I will truely miss my father! He was such a caring and loving father! I will miss all the times we would do things together, smiling, laughing, and always having a good time! Lord take care of my father he was a great man! Good Bye Dad! Love ya!
Swede and Mary weren’t just neighbors, they were family. They lived across the street from us since we moved in 2002. We didn’t have family in Lincoln and they took us under their wings! Swede didn’t just snowplow his driveway, he did the sidewalks, street and driveways of elderly and pregnant neighbors. He had a special connection to our son, Hunter, taking extra time to listen to his stories of his sports, school and social stories. Swede & Mary’s house was the first he wanted to go to on Halloween, so they could “scare” each other with their costumes. Swede was the first neighbor Hunter “shocked” with his Whoopee Cushion. We spent many July 4ths and other occasions with the Glovers. Even their cat, Sparky, knew he could come over to his second family. We hope the family was able to spend some quality time with Swede during his last days. He was a huge part of our neighborhood and the community and will be missed!
Elwyn Glover
Condolences to the entire Glover family. Swede was one in a million. Now, taking the time and realizing the impact he had on me and so many other people, he will be sadly missed by all.
So sorry to learn of Swede’s passing. Sending prayers.
Swede was an amazing man. He was always willing to help our Legion Baseball Committee at Sherman Field and was a delight just to talk with.
His work with the youth was will long be remember.
Dick,Sid,Jack,Rick and all the other workers.
Prayers to Swede’s family. What a great guy who will be greatly missed. All three of our boys were Scouters in Troop 24. . . all achieving Eagle Rank. They all respected Swede as a mentor with the Troop. I valued his friendship and what he did with the Troop and with the Scouting program, including Lutheran Association of Lutheran Scouters.
Dear Mary and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Elwyn’s death.
It sounds like he was such a wonderful husband and father.
Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Norfolk High School Class of 59
He was a great super resource when at Camp Cornhusker to help out the with the Nature Center. He will surely be missed by all of the staffers at the camp nd the campers. His memories will continue to bless us all of our lives.
1977 to 1991