1931
Elmer
2016
Elmer Reuben Niska
September 5, 1931 — November 21, 2016
Elmer Reuben Niska
In the presence of his loving family, Elmer Niska passed away on November 21st, 2016 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. Elmer was born on September 5th, 1931 in Sebeka, Minnesota to Stephen Niska and Pearl Tomperi. He grew up on a farm in Sebeka where he learned the value of hard work. He often found ways to make his own money in addition to his chores on the farm and activities at school. One of his high school jobs involved working at a local bowling alley setting up the bowling pins for 10 cents a game.
Elmer was in the Boy Scouts and was the first Eagle Scout in Sebeka, Minnesota and he went on to be a Scout master. In high school, he lettered in four sports including football, basketball, baseball and track. He was the co-captain of the basketball team. He was also a member of Future Farmers of America.
Elmer was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He went to basic training at Camp Chaffee in Arkansas where he was in the 5th Armored division. He then went to Japan where he served in the 1st Cavalry division. Finally he was sent to Korea where he was with the Headquarter (HQ) Company 724th TB. He was a telegraph operator working with the south Korean railroad.
He met his wife, Theone Niska, in Bemidji, Minnesota where she was working as a nurse. Elmer was enrolled at the University of North Dakota and to earn money for his degree, he worked nights as a telegraph operator for the railroad and attended classes during the day. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1960 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Education with a major in Industrial Arts. Elmer and Theone were married on September 9th, 1956 in Fargo, North Dakota at Saint Mark's Lutheran church.
Elmer moved to Oregon and began teaching in Estacada. In addition to his teaching duties, he worked for the forest service and the lumber mill. In 1962, he began teaching in the Hillsboro school district at Hilhi High School. He was there one year teaching Industrial Arts. Elmer moved to East Junior High School (now Brown Junior High) and spent eight years teaching Industrial Arts and coaching everything from track to basketball to cross country.
He then moved to Poynter Junior High School for two years as a counselor and basketball coach. In 1971 Elmer came back to Hilhi which had now changed its name to Thomas Middle School for 9th and 10th graders and there he taught power mechanics, drafting, and architectural drawing. He later spent one year teaching classes at Glencoe High School as well as Thomas Middle School. In 1971, he received his master's degree in education from Oregon State University.
Elmer's favorite students were 9th graders as he always said, "They really wanted to learn and a teacher can really motivate them." The "personal satisfaction" kept him in teaching for 50 years. Elmer was responsible for writing most of the district's Industrial Arts curriculum and also worked on the state curriculum.
He was quoted as saying "Today's students need to learn to problem solve. The teacher's challenge is to make students "think".
While teaching full time, Elmer kept busy working summers and weekends as a telegraph operator for the Burlington Northern railroad. He built several homes in the Hillsboro area and was a life time member of the Elks. He also served on the Planning Commission for the City of Hillsboro.
After retirement in 1990, Elmer continued to substitute teach in all four of the high schools in Hillsboro (Hilhi, Glencoe, Liberty, and Century). At retirement, he was quoted to say, "A person who has worked all his life will work hard at playing, I've never been one to sit around". So in his spare time, he continued to volunteer as a park host, golf, square dance, bike, garden, bowl, fish, and build things in his shop.
He is survived by his loving wife Theone Niska of 60 years, son Mike Niska (Rhonda), and daughter, Nancy Driesner (Mark) and three grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Karen Kohl. He was preceded in death by his son Robert and his siblings, Helen Dietz, May Sahr, Arthur Niska, and Marie Liimatta.
A funeral is planned on December 9th, 2016 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Donelson Funeral Chapel in Hillsboro, Oregon. A public viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:00am to 10:00am. Elmer will be buried at Willamette National Cemetery. A full military honors service will be held at Willamette National Cemetery following the funeral. All are invited to drive to Willamette National Cemetery for the military service from 2:00pm to 2:30pm.
Donelson Funeral Home is located at 1070 West Main St., Hillsboro, OR 97123.
Willamette National Cemetery is located at 11800 SE Mt. Scott Blvd, Portland, OR 97086
In the presence of his loving family, Elmer Niska passed away on November 21st, 2016 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. Elmer was born on September 5th, 1931 in Sebeka, Minnesota to Stephen Niska and Pearl Tomperi. He grew up on a farm in Sebeka where he learned the value of hard work. He often found ways to make his own money in addition to his chores on the farm and activities at school. One of his high school jobs involved working at a local bowling alley setting up the bowling pins for 10 cents a game.
Elmer was in the Boy Scouts and was the first Eagle Scout in Sebeka, Minnesota and he went on to be a Scout master. In high school, he lettered in four sports including football, basketball, baseball and track. He was the co-captain of the basketball team. He was also a member of Future Farmers of America.
Elmer was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He went to basic training at Camp Chaffee in Arkansas where he was in the 5th Armored division. He then went to Japan where he served in the 1st Cavalry division. Finally he was sent to Korea where he was with the Headquarter (HQ) Company 724th TB. He was a telegraph operator working with the south Korean railroad.
He met his wife, Theone Niska, in Bemidji, Minnesota where she was working as a nurse. Elmer was enrolled at the University of North Dakota and to earn money for his degree, he worked nights as a telegraph operator for the railroad and attended classes during the day. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1960 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Education with a major in Industrial Arts. Elmer and Theone were married on September 9th, 1956 in Fargo, North Dakota at Saint Mark's Lutheran church.
Elmer moved to Oregon and began teaching in Estacada. In addition to his teaching duties, he worked for the forest service and the lumber mill. In 1962, he began teaching in the Hillsboro school district at Hilhi High School. He was there one year teaching Industrial Arts. Elmer moved to East Junior High School (now Brown Junior High) and spent eight years teaching Industrial Arts and coaching everything from track to basketball to cross country.
He then moved to Poynter Junior High School for two years as a counselor and basketball coach. In 1971 Elmer came back to Hilhi which had now changed its name to Thomas Middle School for 9th and 10th graders and there he taught power mechanics, drafting, and architectural drawing. He later spent one year teaching classes at Glencoe High School as well as Thomas Middle School. In 1971, he received his master's degree in education from Oregon State University.
Elmer's favorite students were 9th graders as he always said, "They really wanted to learn and a teacher can really motivate them." The "personal satisfaction" kept him in teaching for 50 years. Elmer was responsible for writing most of the district's Industrial Arts curriculum and also worked on the state curriculum.
He was quoted as saying "Today's students need to learn to problem solve. The teacher's challenge is to make students "think".
While teaching full time, Elmer kept busy working summers and weekends as a telegraph operator for the Burlington Northern railroad. He built several homes in the Hillsboro area and was a life time member of the Elks. He also served on the Planning Commission for the City of Hillsboro.
After retirement in 1990, Elmer continued to substitute teach in all four of the high schools in Hillsboro (Hilhi, Glencoe, Liberty, and Century). At retirement, he was quoted to say, "A person who has worked all his life will work hard at playing, I've never been one to sit around". So in his spare time, he continued to volunteer as a park host, golf, square dance, bike, garden, bowl, fish, and build things in his shop.
He is survived by his loving wife Theone Niska of 60 years, son Mike Niska (Rhonda), and daughter, Nancy Driesner (Mark) and three grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Karen Kohl. He was preceded in death by his son Robert and his siblings, Helen Dietz, May Sahr, Arthur Niska, and Marie Liimatta.
A funeral is planned on December 9th, 2016 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Donelson Funeral Chapel in Hillsboro, Oregon. A public viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:00am to 10:00am. Elmer will be buried at Willamette National Cemetery. A full military honors service will be held at Willamette National Cemetery following the funeral. All are invited to drive to Willamette National Cemetery for the military service from 2:00pm to 2:30pm.
Donelson Funeral Home is located at 1070 West Main St., Hillsboro, OR 97123.
Willamette National Cemetery is located at 11800 SE Mt. Scott Blvd, Portland, OR 97086
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elmer Reuben Niska, please visit our flower store.
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