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Van grew up in Crosby spending summers working on the family farm and winters fighting off the harsh cold in North Dakota. Van met the love of his life, Wanna when they were 15 in high school. After high school, Van and Wannie headed to Bottineau to attend college where a year later in 1970, they got married. Van finished his degree, a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, in Missoula, MT and moved to Dickenson, ND to start his career in the Forest Service. Van and Wannie had two girls, Angie and Tessa, and moved to various places around the U.S. Van worked for the Forest Service for 33 years and after retirement he continued working as a consultant helping ranchers. He loved working and worked until his very last day.
Van was dedicated to providing for his family and loving his grandchildren. He loved giving his time and volunteered for 17 years at Fort Collins High School coaching track. His other hobbies included hunting, fishing, buying guns, building guns and reloading bullets. He loved watching his grandkids play soccer and golf and watching football on Sundays. Van loved making people laugh and fought cancer for six years with a smile on his face.
He was preceded in death by his mother Lois, father Earl, brother Russel, and brother David.
Van is survived by his wife Wanna, daughter Angie, daughter Tessa, son-in-law Chris, brother Steve, sister Pam, grandchildren Evan, Hannah, Payton, Raegan, Colten, and Broxton.
A memorial service will be held in Van's honor on November 11, at 11:00am at Timberline Church in Fort Collins. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Pathways Inpatient Care Center of Northern Colorado, 317 Carpenter Rd.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Donna Sackett
December 2, 2024
I´ve been trying to find the words to share, since Van´s passing.
I had hoped to come from Utah to meet all the special people in his life. Unfortunately, I had things come up couldn't attend his service.
Van Elsbernd was one in a million. I got to know Van through my work. After working with him on a Utah rancher case, he encouraged me to start a new chapter by retiring from Congress and becoming a consultant who could help him with Utah farmers and ranchers.
Van was a great mentor, helping me learn how to incorporate, prepare financial and insurance account, and he cheered me on through each step. Then he opened opportunities to work with people in and outside of Utah.
Van had a passion for helping people who were in tough situations. He had decades of experience, at almost every level in the Forest Service. I considered him an expert in the field of working with agency personnel. He had talents in watching people and knowing the best way to deal with them (client or agency person). He always went into meeting calm and collected. He knew the agency approach, so he guided his clients on what to expect and how to stay on top of the meeting. His calm demeanor always took command of every meeting and outcome. I know of only one situation where the agency outcome was already pre-determined, and he could not overcome their bias. However, with his groundwork in place a couple of years ago, we might get a favorable conclusion.
Van´s greatest passions were his love for Jesus and his family. Van truly was a man of God. He always said his life was in the hands of Jesus and he trusted his time on this earth. When he talked about Wanna, his daughters, and grandchildren, he always had a twinkle in his eyes. He loved them and was so dedicated to each one.
I´m going to miss Van Elsbernd, his guidance, his stories and that twinkle in his eyes!
Emily Beckner
November 11, 2024
Van was amazing as a track coach. I didn´t work with him much, being a distance runner, but every now and then I got to do some block starts with him. I was horrible at them. He´d try to suppress his laughter and give me encouragement and pointers. I´d make fun of myself and how bad I was, but he would always remind me that I was capable of doing better. His support meant more to me than he probably realized. I´ll never forget how he showed up to practice each day with a huge smile and a positive attitude, radiating kindness and joy. I hope he knew how much we all loved and appreciated him. My heart goes out to his wife, daughters, family, friends, and all those who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace.
David Elsbernd
November 8, 2024
I have nothing but fond memories of Uncle Van. Regretfully, we did not speak too often over the years but the times we did he was always so supportive, loving and caring and of course happy!! He has made a huge impression in my life. Love and respect him very much. Truly one of the best men I have ever known!
Lucy Hannah
November 6, 2024
I was the last athlete that he coached, I have vivid memorized of making eye contact with him while approaching my last 150 meters of my 400 meter dash, he would tell me to go and I would. He would always come up to me afterwards and validate me even if I hadn´t run my best time. He was there every time to tell me to go, I will never forget the adrenaline that filled me when I would make that eye contact. A coach and athlete bond is very special and impactful, I will always be thankful for the one I had with him and continue to push myself the way he would encourage me to.
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3665 Canal Drive Suite E, Fort Collins, CO 80524
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