Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Jeffrey 'Jeff' Duane Elj

HURLEY, Wis. - Jeffrey "Jeff" Duane Elj, 43, of Hurley, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 25, 2019 in Hurley.

Jeff was born in Grand Rapids, Minn. on April 22, 1976.

He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1994. After high school, Jeff joined the air force as an airman from 1994 to 1996; and he was stationed in Charleston, S.C. He was later employed by Northern Clearing out of Ashland.

Jeff enjoyed fishing, four wheeling, playing video games, watching the Vikings and Cubs games and collecting watches.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Sheila (Wiedbrauk) Elj; his parents, Duane Elj and Teresa (Richard) Rogers; brother, Ray (Joy) Elj; sister, Jennifer (Barry) Tarasewicz; mother-in-law, Stella Belongie; father-in-law, Forrest Wiedbrauk; sister-in-law, Heather (Mickey) Francis; brother-in-law, Forrest Wiedbrauk III; nieces, Alexandria (Noah) Smith and Karrah Tarasewicz; and great-niece, Anna Bella Smith.

Jeff was preceded in death by his grandmother, Sandi Case; grandfather, Harold Elj; aunt, Tami Rice; and beloved dog, Bitzy Lu.

A memorial service will be held at the Cornerstone Church in Ramsay on Monday, June 3 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Todd Winkler, officiating, preceded by a visitation from noon until service time.

Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home, Bessemer, is assisting the family. For more information or to express online condolences, please visit rangefuneralservices.com.