Elton N. (Tony) Veralrud, age 83, passed away Saturday, February 28, 2015 of age related causes at Landsun Manor in Carlsbad. He was born July 1, 1931 to Ellen Alstrom Veralrud and Melvin Veralrud in their farmhouse outside of Park River, North Dakota. He was raised on the farm with his brother and three sisters. He graduated from high school in Park River and joined the Air Force. In 1951 he married his high school sweetheart, local beauty Karen Eyolfson. She remained the love of his life for 63 years.
Following his service in the military, he attended North Dakota State University graduating with a Degree in Pharmacy. In 1959 he moved to Carlsbad where he worked for Corner Drug. After a stint with Abbott Laboratories he became a partner in the two Star Pharmacies, eventually co-owning Star Pharmacy West. He finished his career as Director of Pharmacy at Carlsbad Medical Center.
He was active in church and community life, with decades of acting and supporting Carlsbad Community Theater and the Barbershop Quartets. He graced his friends, family and church regularly with his beautiful voice. People would make a special trip to hear him sing "O Holy Night" at the Christmas Eve service at Presbyterian Church. Just a month ago, he joined in with a local barbershop quartet visiting at Landsun, still in fine voice and enjoying the harmony with others. He loved to travel…always enjoyed the smaller highways and byways and roads less traveled. He delighted in his family.
Tony loved people and treated friend and stranger alike with respect, kindness and good humor, blind to differences in age, religion, race or gender. The family is grateful and comforted by the many condolences and remembrances received since his passing. Special thanks to the
kind and caring staff at Landsun Nursing Unit. He is survived by his wife Karen, four children, Greg Veralrud (Debi) of Eugene, Oregon; Debby Caviness (Mike) of Ojo Caliente, NM; Sandy Murray (Paul) of Houston, Texas and Jan Slenning
(Todd) of Portland, Oregon, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, a sister, Jean Johnson of Bemidji, Minnesota and brother Melvin Veralrud, Jr. of Castle Rock, WA. His parents and sisters June and Melvina preceded him in death. He is greatly missed and mourned by his friends and family.
A Memorial Service and reception is planned for Saturday, March 7, 10:00 AM at Landsun Manor in the auditorium with Chaplain Stephanie Harmon officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Landsun Homes, Caring Hands
Fund, 2002 Westridge Road, Carlsbad, NM 88220.
All are welcome to share and enjoy a memory. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Carlsbad Current-Argus on Mar. 5, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Elton Veralrud

20 Entries

Debby Veralrud Caviness

March 14, 2015

Dad, it's been two long weeks since you left our earthly plane; your spirit and soul took flight into heaven accompanied by a large choir of angels. I hope grandpa and grandma were waiting at heavens gate along with your sweet sisters greeting your arrival with open arms. I miss you so much, our hearts are heavy, but you are in your eternal home now. One day soon, we will be reunited. Just knowing you will be waiting helps me get through the sadness and tears. I will always love you dad.

Pamela Jones

March 11, 2015

Prayers to Debbie and all of the family. You had a wonderful dad

aimee cashion

March 9, 2015

I love you grandpa, I will miss you forever. Every now and then I will sing a song towards heaven for you.

Orlando Guerrero

March 7, 2015

Karen & Family:

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Tony was special in that he always greeted you with a smile and a welcome. May all the wonderful memories you had with Tony bring you comfort in this most difficult time.

Orlando & Christina Guerrero

Josie Zuniga

March 6, 2015

It was such a great pleasure knowing Tony and working with him at Corner Drug. I am so sorry for your loss Karen,may God bless you and your family.

March 6, 2015

We had the pleasure of meeting Tony multiple times over the years. He was a delightful man. We are truly saddened for his entire family. We hope wonderful memories will ease the pain.
Mary & Mike Murray (Houston, TX)

Cindy Short

March 6, 2015

Karen, Greg, Debbie, Sandy & Jan,
My heart is saddened. I have many fond memories of working at the drugstore. Your husband, dad, grandfather was a lot of fun to be around. Cherish your memories.

March 6, 2015

Karen,Greg,Debbie,Sandy,& Jan,
My Heart is saddened. I have many fond memories of working at the drugstore. Your husband, dad, grandfather was fun to be around. Cherish your memories.

Jerry Smith

March 6, 2015

My earliest memory of Elton was going to his pharmacy on the Piece Hwy. when I was ~ 8 y/o buying candy from his store then taking it back to "sell" (at an inflated price) at our "road-side candy store. I knew him long before I met the rest of his family, (including his lovely daughter, Sandy, who I married)and always respected him as a fantastic person and father. My deepest condolences to Karen, Sandy, Debbie, Jan, Greg,spouces and grandkids for their loss. I was blessed to have known him and will always remember his smiling face,keen wit and love of life.

Cathy & Rick Whiteley

March 6, 2015

What a wonderful tribute to a great man who greatly impacted not only his family but touched some many in his lifetime and leaves behind a great legacy. Praying for comfort and peace for all the family.

Jeff and Judy Harris

March 6, 2015

Uncle Elton will always hold a special place in our hearts. Remembering many happy times with the Veralrud family. Loved to hear him laugh and sing!

Kelly Murray

March 6, 2015

Love and miss you always Grandpa.

Koni Bosch

March 6, 2015

Debby, I'm so sorry about the passing of your father. As I child I used to walk from my house to the pharmacy a lot. It was only a few blocks. Your dad was always happy to see me even though I was a barefoot kid with no reason to be there but for ice cream. This photo is exactly how I remember him. May the Lord comfort you and and your family and bring you peace. Love you.

Kesha Holt

March 6, 2015

Tony you will be greatly missed. I know you are flying with the angels and singing beautiful music. I love you and thank you for blessing my life with your presence and giving me the chance to meet your wonderful family.

Kevin Smith

March 5, 2015

You will be missed Grandpa.

Kharol Johnson

March 5, 2015

Karen, Greg, Debbie, Sandy and Jan,
I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Veralrud. He was such a wonderful and kind man. I will never forget all he did for me growing up and I am so blessed he was a part of my life. Mr. Veralrud please use your beautiful voice and sing a song to Colt for me.
My thoughts and prayers are with each of you, love to all, Kharol

Sharron Treadaway

March 5, 2015

So sorry to hear about Tony. He sure was a good boss and I loved to work with him. Know that u all will miss him dearly and so will his friends and co-workers. I am so Blessed to get to know and work with him. Prayers to all of the family.

Jianna Whiteley

March 5, 2015

I'll always remember you Grandpa...I love you!

Pam Mayfield (Bindel)

March 5, 2015

Karen, Greg, Debi, Sandy & Jan-
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Tony was such a wonderful man and I have very fond memories of him. He always had a smile on his face and something nice to say to me. He seemed to always be having fun. A rare quality to have - he was a genuinely kind man and he will be missed in the Carlsbad community for sure. Please know you are in my thoughts during this very difficult time.

Michael & Karen Summers

March 5, 2015

So sorry to hear of your loss. May god give your family strength and blessings during this time. Heaven has a new angel singing.

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