Elmer C. Tomsha, 92, of Esperance, NY and formerly of Tulare, SD, died Saturday, February 11, 2012 in Esperance. His funeral will be Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield, SD. Pastor Todd Bowers will officiate. Burial will be in the Crandon Settlement Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 1-8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5-7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Elmer was born September 20, 1919 near Tulare to John and Mary (Dolezal) Tomsha. He grew up in the Tulare area and graduated from Redfield High School. He graduated from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with an Electrical Engineering degree. He worked for GE in various towns across the country before working for the state of New York. As an electrical engineer, he helped plan and build the New York State Capitol building. Elmer retired in 1975 and lived in New York until 2007. He moved to Tulare to live with his great nephew Tom Tomsha after dealing with some health issues. Tom, Deb and Linda helped him regain his independence and his health.

He enjoyed walking around the farm, looking for collectables, near Tulare.

Elmer is survived by his nieces: Harriet Otto, Geneva Sheflo, Linda Tomsha and Pam Lueth and his great nephew and niece Tom Tomsha and Deb Kopplin and several other grand nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers and sister: Wesley, Ernest, Louis, Bertha, Harry Sr., and Ellis. Also his special friend Lucille Devine and his nephews and niece Harry Tomsha Jr., Leatrice Weideman Droste, Daryl Weideman, Terry Otto and Bob Sheflo.