In Memory Of
Timothy R. Elmer
1943
2022
Timothy R. Elmer
February 24, 1943 — May 3, 2022
Tim Elmer, 79, of Topeka, passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
Tim was born on February 24, 1943, in Bonner Springs, Kansas, to Thomas and Irma (Miller) Elmer, one of thirteen children, including his twin brother and best friend, Tom. Tim graduated from Basehor High School before spending five years at the St. Augustine Monastery in Kansas City, Kansas. Tim earned a bachelor's degree from Rockhurst University. He studied German at the Goethe-Institut in Munich, Germany. Later, he received a master's degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas.
Tim was a Renaissance man who committed his life to serving others. In 1967 he joined Peace Corps and traveled to Sierra Leone, West Africa, to teach agriculture and construction to local villagers. Tim returned to Kansas and met the love of his life, Jett Carkhuff, in a communications class at the University of Kansas. The two returned to Sierra Leone where they volunteered together for a year. In 1974 they began their 48-year marriage, which resulted in the other loves of his life, their two daughters, Bridget and Stacy.
Tim and Jett enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, and antiquing together. Their ongoing hobby was the restoration of their Victorian home in Potwin, most of which Tim renovated with his own hands and a lot of love. Family was everything to Tim. He loved spending time with his wife and daughters and their families. He was a private pilot and enjoyed skiing, snowboarding, playing racquetball, watching the KC Royals and KU Basketball, and walking. He had a passion for music that started early in life, playing banjo in his family's bluegrass band. Tim was well known for telling jokes to anyone and everyone who would listen. If you met Tim even briefly you surely heard more than a few of his notorious jokes.
Tim's professional career began as a journalist writing a weekly column in the Topeka Capital Journal, "At Home with Computers." This led him to start his own small business as a computer consultant, primarily to individuals and small businesses. Always the volunteer, Tim helped to establish Topeka Collegiate School, and actively volunteered in the community, including at the Topeka Public Library, Stormont Vail Hospital, and the Kansas Children's Service League.
Tim always told his family that he had been waiting for a personal miracle since his time in the monastery. In November 2003 he finally received it. A horrific car accident presented him with numerous injuries and health challenges that he miraculously survived. Later, he underwent brain surgery, was diagnosed with cancer and then Parkinson's disease. Despite these trials Tim never gave up. He worked hard to overcome his injuries from the accident. He beat the cancer, and to combat Parkinson's he participated in one of his youngest daughter Stacy's favorite activities, boxing. Tim was a man of strength, optimism and positivity. He will be remembered by his infectious smile, his caring heart, and the joy he brought to the lives of other people.
Tim leaves behind his wife, Jett Elmer; two daughters, Bridget (Lyman Edwards) Elmer and Stacy (Syrus Yarbrough) Elmer; two grandchildren, Wilhelmina Elmer Edwards and Henry Elmer Edwards; siblings, Ann, Alicia, Rosalie, Helen, Bill, Wayne, Mark, Tony, and Jim. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Irma, and his siblings, Tom, Ed, and Steve.
A celebration of Tim's life will take place at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66604. He will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas, at a later date.
The service will be live streamed and a link will be available prior to the service.
In Tim's honor, memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Collegiate School, 2200 SW Eveningside Drive, Topeka, KS 66614, the Topeka Public Library Gallery, 1515 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604, and Rock Steady Boxing, 4401 SW Cambridge Avenue, Topeka, KS 66610.
Tim's service was livestreamed and recorded. Click here to view the service.
To leave a message for Tim's family, please visit the guestbook below.
Tim was born on February 24, 1943, in Bonner Springs, Kansas, to Thomas and Irma (Miller) Elmer, one of thirteen children, including his twin brother and best friend, Tom. Tim graduated from Basehor High School before spending five years at the St. Augustine Monastery in Kansas City, Kansas. Tim earned a bachelor's degree from Rockhurst University. He studied German at the Goethe-Institut in Munich, Germany. Later, he received a master's degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas.
Tim was a Renaissance man who committed his life to serving others. In 1967 he joined Peace Corps and traveled to Sierra Leone, West Africa, to teach agriculture and construction to local villagers. Tim returned to Kansas and met the love of his life, Jett Carkhuff, in a communications class at the University of Kansas. The two returned to Sierra Leone where they volunteered together for a year. In 1974 they began their 48-year marriage, which resulted in the other loves of his life, their two daughters, Bridget and Stacy.
Tim and Jett enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, and antiquing together. Their ongoing hobby was the restoration of their Victorian home in Potwin, most of which Tim renovated with his own hands and a lot of love. Family was everything to Tim. He loved spending time with his wife and daughters and their families. He was a private pilot and enjoyed skiing, snowboarding, playing racquetball, watching the KC Royals and KU Basketball, and walking. He had a passion for music that started early in life, playing banjo in his family's bluegrass band. Tim was well known for telling jokes to anyone and everyone who would listen. If you met Tim even briefly you surely heard more than a few of his notorious jokes.
Tim's professional career began as a journalist writing a weekly column in the Topeka Capital Journal, "At Home with Computers." This led him to start his own small business as a computer consultant, primarily to individuals and small businesses. Always the volunteer, Tim helped to establish Topeka Collegiate School, and actively volunteered in the community, including at the Topeka Public Library, Stormont Vail Hospital, and the Kansas Children's Service League.
Tim always told his family that he had been waiting for a personal miracle since his time in the monastery. In November 2003 he finally received it. A horrific car accident presented him with numerous injuries and health challenges that he miraculously survived. Later, he underwent brain surgery, was diagnosed with cancer and then Parkinson's disease. Despite these trials Tim never gave up. He worked hard to overcome his injuries from the accident. He beat the cancer, and to combat Parkinson's he participated in one of his youngest daughter Stacy's favorite activities, boxing. Tim was a man of strength, optimism and positivity. He will be remembered by his infectious smile, his caring heart, and the joy he brought to the lives of other people.
Tim leaves behind his wife, Jett Elmer; two daughters, Bridget (Lyman Edwards) Elmer and Stacy (Syrus Yarbrough) Elmer; two grandchildren, Wilhelmina Elmer Edwards and Henry Elmer Edwards; siblings, Ann, Alicia, Rosalie, Helen, Bill, Wayne, Mark, Tony, and Jim. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Irma, and his siblings, Tom, Ed, and Steve.
A celebration of Tim's life will take place at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66604. He will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas, at a later date.
The service will be live streamed and a link will be available prior to the service.
In Tim's honor, memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Collegiate School, 2200 SW Eveningside Drive, Topeka, KS 66614, the Topeka Public Library Gallery, 1515 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604, and Rock Steady Boxing, 4401 SW Cambridge Avenue, Topeka, KS 66610.
Tim's service was livestreamed and recorded. Click here to view the service.
To leave a message for Tim's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Timothy R. Elmer, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Saturday, May 28, 2022
Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Guestbook
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