Elvin (Mississippi) Paul Fountain, 87, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2018 at his home in Dakota, Minnesota, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born January 18, 1931, in Biloxi, Mississippi to Albert D. and Augustine Fountain. He left high school to work with his dad and uncles on the shrimp boats in the Gulf of Mexico. Soon thereafter, he joined the Army, traveling to many countries over the years and then transferred to the Navy where he served on the seas in the Korean War. He met his lifelong love, Donna Mae Kerns in 1957 in Newport, Rhode Island, after he completed his military service. They married on November 23, 1958 in Biloxi, MS.

Elvin and Donna returned to Donna’s hometown of Dakota, MN where they had their daughter, Carmen, born in 1966. Elvin worked tirelessly to provide for his family, eventually becoming an accomplished carpenter and retiring after 50 years with Carpenters Union Local 1143 of La Crosse, WI. He took great pride in his military service and the highways, bridges, and building projects to which he contributed over the years, and loved to tell stories about these experiences at Sunday dinners, held regularly with his extended family at his home in Dakota. In his younger years, one could often find Elvin looking for fishing companions, especially Donna’s younger siblings. He also spent time building model ships, visiting neighbors in the Dakota community, and was particular about washing his cars every couple of days. He had a fondness for his Biloxi home, always telling stories about his youth and the family.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and is survived by his wife, Donna; daughter, Carmen (Anthony) Sanchez of Dresbach, MN; grandchildren, Miranda Sanchez of La Crosse, WI, and Christina Sanchez of Dresbach, MN; brothers, John (Neldine), Gilbert, and Albert James Fountain of Biloxi, MS; sister, Joyce Myers of Van Cleave, MS. Elvin was preceded in death by his parents, Albert D. and Augustine Fountain; three brothers, Malcolm, Wallace, and Charles Fountain; brother-in-law, Leo (Duke) Myers Sr; and sister-in-law, Dorothy (Dottie) Fountain.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday, November 1, 2018 at Coulee Region Cremation Group, 133 Mason Street, Onalaska, WI 54650. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 2, 2018 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Dakota, MN. Reverend Greg Havel will officiate. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Dakota, MN.

To view or order your own copy of Elvin’s memorial video,  Please copy the following link into your web browser.

https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/MFWBGBKKGFPS9SLB?e=1