Chris Donald Elder

Chris Donald Elder (60) went to be with his Heavenly Father on January 4th, 2023. He passed peacefully surrounded by family after a brave battle with cancer.

Chris was born in Des Moines, Iowa on June 16th, 1962 to the union of Bruce & Ileda Elder. His family moved to Colorado when he was 3 years old. He grew up in Berthoud where he and his brother Craig were involved in 4H, water skiing, hunting and fishing. During his high school years, he ran a trap line and was one of the most famous muskrat trappers around. He was voted Trapper of the Year in his senior year of High School.

He graduated from Colorado State University with a Wildlife Biology degree in 1985 where he met a lifetime friend, Tim Brough and they went into a partnership called Western Wildlife Adventures. They ran multiple businesses in the outdoor space, to include a trap and skeet range and pheasant farm.

He moved his family to Alaska in December of 1998 and became a real estate agent and investor. Over the years he has been involved in various different businesses and industries. He was a great teacher and mentor to many.

He was active in church as a Treasurer, Deacon, and Elder for many years. One of his life aspirations was to baptize each of his children. He was very thankful to be able to do this as each of his children chose a life of following Jesus. As a bonus, he even got to baptize his only son-in-law Jay! He loved to hunt, fish, build boats, buy and sell properties and other businesses. He loved hosting, entertaining, and telling stories. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; parents, Bruce and Ileda of Loveland, CO; brother, Craig (Mary) of Sacramento, CA; children, Courtney (Jay) Bruzas of Wasilla, AK; Blake (Natalie) of Big Lake, AK; Garrett (Sarah) of Anchorage, AK; and stepdaughters, Aislynn & Jazelyn of Big Lake, AK; 2 Grandsons, 9 Granddaughters.

Please share your memories of Chris with the family by email at blakelder@gmail.com

A memorial service in honor of him will be held at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake, AK on Saturday, January 14th at 10am. Please come and celebrate Chris’s life with his family. In lieu of flowers, please buy yourself some ammo.