Earl Eli
Eli was a standout athleteat Milaca High School, especially in football where as a senior he played on the unbeaten 1939 team that some observers crowned state champion. He scored 96 of the team’s 159 points and was named to the Minneapolis Tribune All-State First Team as left halfback.
He was recruited by legendary University of Minnesota Coach Bernie Bierman and played for the Gophers for two years before being drafted into the Army during World War II.
While stationed in Europe he often set up communications behind enemy lines. He was awarded the French Croix deGuerre for bravery and received the Purple Heart. He returned to the University of Minnesota and graduated from medical school. He was in general practice in the state of Washington and later in Columbia Heights, Minn.
Eli returned to the U of M for an anesthesiology residence, then moved back to Seattle, Wash., where he worked with ananesthesia group. He died in 1980.
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