Eldert DeRaad, 89, of Clarks Grove, died on Sunday, March 28, 2010, at the Good Samaritan Center in Albert Lea.
Born on March 3, 1921, in Parkersburg, Iowa, he was the son of John and Nettie (Boelmann) DeRaad. He attended school in Hollandale. Following his schooling, Eldert served in the U.S. Army from 1942 until his honorable discharge in 1946. Eldert married Avis Marie Larson on Jan. 10, 1944.  He worked for John Ravenhorst Tile Co., Minnesota Highway Department and had also owned DeRaad Service Station with his brother, Nanko. Eldert retired from the Rural Electric Association in 1983. He enjoyed gardening and doing yard work as well as spending time with his family. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Clarks Grove, where he served as a church deacon and taught Sunday school. He also served on the township board.
 He is survived by his wife, Avis of Clarks Grove; children: Karen Nielsen of Clarks Grove, Dale and Cindy DeRaad of Waseca, Max and Sharon DeRaad of Wyoming, Lori and Terry Fuller of Waseca, Keith and Cyndy DeRaad of Bloomington and Mary Ortiz of Albert Lea; daughter-in-law, Kathleen DeRaad of Rochester; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Dena Citurs of Albert Lea and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Dennis; son-in-law, Paul Nielsen; granddaughters: Melissa and Sara DeRaad; sisters: Etta Arends, Ella Arends and Minni Molle; and brothers: Earl, Jack, Nanko and Jerry.
Memorial services will be held on Friday at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Clarks Grove with the Rev. Jamie Cameron officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Clarks Grove Cemetery.