Eli Cardinal, age 88 of Range died on Friday, October 11, 2013 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Eli was born on May 2, 1925 in Range, WI, the eldest of 7 children born to John and Maye (Belisle) Cardinal. Eli attended Range School through the 8th grade when he left to farm with his father. He served in the Army active duty from 1947-1949 as a heavy equipment mechanic above the Arctic Circle. After the Army, Eli worked several trucking and factory jobs until he met and married Clarice Vangsness in 1952. Eli bought a milk truck and hauled milk cans for the Range Creamery for several years, and then sold his truck to buy his farm. Eli lived on his farm since 1956 having raised hogs, dairy cattle, several barn cats and three children. During his farming career, he was also the Apple River Fire Departmet Chief for several years, Apple River Township board member for several years and served on the Elim Cemetery board for most of his life. Eli was preceded in death by his brothers, Art and Charlie; sisters, Ruby Roberts, Albertha Roberts and Gladys Alt; daughter Gina and grandson Garrett Cardinal. He is survived by his loving wife Clarice; sons, Gary (Diane) Cardinal and Gerry (Julie) Cardinal; daughter Gail Cardinal; grandchildren, Nicole, Natasha, Craig, Cary and Casey and great grandchildren, Remy and Malachi as well as a sister, Donna Fortmeyer. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at Elim Lutheran Church in Range. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, as well as the hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Elim Cemetery.