Elliot Raymond Wold, age 93, of River Falls, WI died Friday, March 10, 2023 at Kinnic Health & Rehabilitation in River Falls.

He was born January 31, 1930, in Barron, WI to Raymond and Nora (Bjugstad) Wold.

He attended Barron High School, where he met Jeanne Jacobson of Dallas, WI, whom he married on June 14, 1953 at Dallas Lutheran Church. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College, served in the US Army at Fort Riley, KS, where he played trumpet in the Army Band, earned his Master of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and pursued additional studies at Northwestern University. He began his career teaching music at Luther College followed by one year at Concordia College. Elliot joined the music faculty at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1963, where he directed the Concert Choir and the Chamber Singers and taught private voice lessons, choral conducting, and vocal and choral pedagogy until his retirement in 1998. He served twice as chairman of the music department and was a state chairman of the American Choral Directors Association. His choir concerts and medieval banquet programs were beloved in the community. An ambassador of music as an international language, he led numerous choir tours in North America, Europe and Asia, opening to students an appreciation of other cultures, a tradition he continued with his Alumni Choir for years beyond his retirement. He passed on his love of music as a teacher, conductor, and mentor to thousands of students and encouraged each student to bring forth the value of their own unique voice to give of themselves. Many have said that their lives were forever changed by their experiences and enriched by cherished memories. Elliot and Jeanne, who was also a member of the music department, planted seeds which developed into a tremendous sense of community among their students, blossoming into a great chorus of lifelong treasured friendships, in which music became a path for the building of relationships. Elliot enjoyed composing, woodworking, fishing, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends, and he delighted in sharing a life of music and love with his wife Jeanne.

Elliot was preceded in death by his parents, his wife: Jeanne, his daughter: Kira Vikki Wold, sisters: Edna Ellison and Lois Voelker and his brother: Ron Wold. He is survived by his son: Dag Wold, his sister: Gloria Kurschner, many relatives and friends, and his extensive choir family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 1 at Dallas Lutheran Church with Rev. Bruce Rimmereid officiating, preceded by visitation from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the church narthex. A private interment will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Rausch-Lundeen Funeral Homes, Dallas and Cameron.

Last Update: Mar 24, 2023 3:11 pm CDT