Van Curtis Elsbernd

Van Curtis Elsbernd was born on February 14, 1951 in Williston, North Dakota to Lois Elsbernd and went home to his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ on October 29, 2024 at Hospice Impatient Care Center.

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.