James William “Bill” Elliott, MD

   James William “Bill” Elliott, MD died peacefully at his home in Arden Hills, MN on February 11, 2023.    

   He was born in Des Moines, IA to Olin and Pauline Elliott on February 12, 1936. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1954 and subsequently from Cornell College in 1958. He married Janet Alice Striepe in 1959. Bill graduated from the University of Iowa with his MD in 1962. Following his internship at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA and a psychiatry residency at the University of Iowa, he entered the US Navy and served as a Lieutenant Commander directing the Neuropsychiatric Unit at the Marine Corps Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina. After leaving the service, Bill established the Psychiatric Clinic of Mankato, Minnesota in 1969 and practiced there until 1988.

   Bill and Jan moved north in 1988 to Wabedo Lake in Longville, Minnesota where they had enjoyed “the cabin” for many years and built their dream home next door. He continued his psychiatric practice in Park Rapids and Walker as well as the Brainerd Regional Human Service Center until his retirement in 1997.

   In retirement, Bill and Jan spent time on Jekyll Island in Georgia and The Villages in Florida. They moved from Lake Wabedo to Johanna Shores in Arden Hills in 2021.

   Bill served as Council President at Salem Lutheran Church in Longville, MN. He served as President of the Board of Directors of the Mankato YMCA. He had a special affection for Camp Olson YMCA in Longville, MN as he met his future wife Jan there when they were both on staff. Later in life he served as President of the Board of Directors and also served on the Board of Trustees. He received the Keeper of the Dream Award from Camp Olson as a reminder of his great service to the organization over many years.

   Bill enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, and just being outdoors. He was a big thinker and enjoyed reading and discussing philosophical and spiritual topics in particular. He wrote: “I am thankful beyond expression for the life I have had; good health, material blessings, living in beautiful settings, fine parents, great kids, luck, and a wife whose gifts to me have been endless.”

   Bill is his survived by his wife Janet Elliott of Arden Hills, MN; son John (Robin) Elliott of Meridian, Idaho; daughter Kristi (Randy Card) Elliott of Longville, MN; daughter Sonnie Elliott of Shoreview, MN; granddaughter Rachel Elliott and grandson David (Karli) Elliott of Meridian, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his parents Pauline and Olin Elliott, and sisters Margaret Gwynne and Mary Brown.

   Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell Funeral Home in Shoreview, MN is assisting the family. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials are preferred to Camp Olson YMCA in Longville, MN.