Elden J. Jonas

Elden was born in Omaha, Nebraska to Emil and Emma (Karel) Jonas on October 30, 1936. He spent his early years in Schuyler, Nebraska. During elementary school his parents moved the family to Fremont, Nebraska where he remained until he went to college. He had two younger brothers Clarence and David. 

 Growing up two things were always important: Boy Scouts and his Catholic faith. He loved scouting and his parents were very proud of his achievements. He earned various badges and medals, eventually becoming an Eagle Scout, scouting’s highest rank. 

 He had many fond memories of scouting including a trip to the famous Philmont Boy Scout Camp in New Mexico and staying at a cabin on a lake in Minnesota. His scout troop even installed a time capsule in a Fremont city park in the base of The Statue of Liberty replica. 

 Elden attended St. Patrick’s school in Fremont and was graduated in 1954. He was highly thought of as a young man, one who would enter the priesthood. On the day he was to visit the seminary, however, Elden became so ill he couldn’t get out of bed. He took that as a sign from God that he was not to become a priest. He remained a devout Catholic and became an active member of the Knights of Columbus. 

 He studied at Creighton University, majoring in business administration. He was graduated in 1958. He was a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity and became its president his Junior and Senior years. He had a close group of friends who named themselves the Golden Yacht Club and kept in touch throughout the years. 

 During this era all young men had to register for the draft and go through basic training, serving two years or joining the reserves. After graduation Elden was sent to Fort Lenoradwood, Missouri for basic training. Then he was sent to Fort Lee, Virginia for training in petroleum product analysis. Radar generators along the east coast had oil that would be changed when it became certain acidity. He worked in a laboratory analyzing petroleum products to determine the acidity and report if the oil needed changing. Upon completing his service, he went on to the reserves for 6 years and was then honorably discharged. 

Elden met Patricia O’Callaghan on a blind date while he was at Creighton. They married on June 18, 1960, and became the parents of four children: Paul, Steven, Todd and Kerry. 

 Elden’s first job out of college was with JC Penney, in their management training program. He then worked for W.T. Grant as a manager in training, and was relocated several times throughout the Midwest, living in Des Moines, Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Waterloo, Iowa. He was finally transferred back to Omaha and settled there. 

 The majority of his career back in Omaha was spent with Richman Gordman Department stores, a local chain. 

 He started as a manager and soon was asked to be manager on a start-up team for a new store concept in south Omaha. It was called Richman Gordman 1/2 Price Store. The 1/2 Price Stores sold fabric and inventory from the regular stores that hadn’t been put out on the floors yet. All merchandise was sold at 1/2 price. When Dan Gordman, the owner of Richman Gordman, asked Elden if they could buy merchandise just for these stores instead of just drawing from regular merchandise, Elden answered, “Yes”. 

 Soon Dan Goodman arranged for a experimental buying trip to New York and included Elden. Dan took him under his wing and showed him how to find merchandise suitable for the 1/2 Price Stores and purchase it. The 1/2 Price Stores prospered and became a discount division of Richman Gordman department stores. Elden was soon promoted to divisional merchandise manager, a job he loved. He loved traveling the world on buying trips and never lacked for stories of his adventures. It turned out Richman Gordman was at the forefront of the outlet store market. 

 After 15 years with the 1/2 Price Stores, Elden went to work for Pamida, as a buyer. Pamida was a chain of stores with 175 locations in 26 midwestern and west central states. 

 Despite his department store success, Elden never forgot about his dream to own a business. When he left Pamida in 1993, he bought the Dairy Queen in Blair, Nebraska. He won several awards from DQ Headquarters during the three years he had the business. 

 A man of many interests, his hobbies included painting, reading, fly fishing, gardening, and attending the opera. For many years they traveled to Simpson College in Iowa every summer to attend its Opera Festival. Elden enjoyed going to art shows and is very proud of the collection he and Patty acquired over the years. He also loved Sherlock Holmes and instilled the love of a good mystery in all of his children. His biggest hobby though was following his granddaughters' softball games. 

 Elden is survived by Patricia, his wife of 64 years; his children Paul (Lori), Steven, Todd (Jennifer), and Kerry Meyer (Jim); nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. 

 MASS of Christian Burial Monday, January 13, 2025, at 10:30am, at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church with private entombment in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. 

VISITATION with the family begins after 9:30am at the church with a rosary recitation at 10:15am. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.