Elijah Eldridge Riley

Elijah Eldridge Riley, age 31, of Rochester, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at his home. Elijah was born July 23, 1993, to Phillip “Ricky” and Amy (DeFor) Riley in Arlington, Texas. He graduated from Austin High School in 2011 and went on to attend Riverland Community College. Elijah was a talented artist and worked as a server for various places in Austin, Mankato, and Rochester. He was a faithful Christian man who most recently was attending Rochester Assembly.

From an early age Eli was a part of the Austin arts community. His debut Austin performance was with Summerset Theater as a street urchin in the play Oliver at Riverland College. He was a part of the children’s matchbox theater, MAD (music and drama) Camp, and many other school and community performances.

He started dancing at age 10 at Acclaim Studio of dance where he went on to become an instructor. Eli, with his brothers, formed a dance crew that auditioned for America’s Got Talent and they performed for several years in the area.

Along with theater and dance he had a passion for music and was a gifted lyricist. Under the stage name “Rhymz” he went on tour across the country writing and performing his own music. Eli’s creativity was unending, he collaborated with many local artists and even helped create a rap group called “A.O.K.” 

Love was a verb for Elijah, he loved his family, friends, and community. He spent many Thanksgivings at Salvation Army, was a youth leader with Vespers, a counselor at Sweet Life camp, went to Haiti after an earthquake with Faith church, laid sandbags during the 2008 Austin flood, volunteered at the local Humane Society, and handed water to runners at the Hog Jog for several summers. He packed Christmas boxes and meals to send overseas and during covid he volunteered with Meals on Wheels in Austin. In so many more ways Eli quietly served those he loved. Even in death he continued to give, choosing to be a donor.

He was a writer, a reader, a thinker, and he loved to have deep discussions and debates. He loved people as they were, always seeing a person and not a problem. He valued directness and was a natural leader and protector. Eli did not think of himself as having many friends because he made them family.

Survivors include his parents, Ricky and Amy Riley of Austin, Minnesota; the love of his life, Brooklyn Hanson; siblings, Phillip (Jessica Wojtalewicz) Riley of Byron, Minnesota, Devin (Josie Nelsen) Riley of Rochester, Minnesota, Montana Riley of Austin, Minnesota, and Quinton (Quinn) Riley of Austin, Minnesota; brothers, Kevin D. (Jessica) Sarmiento, Malachi T. Oman, Rashaun (Brenna) Ross, Isaac Sorensen, Michael (Teiler) Tover, Conrad (Emily) Bauer, and Luke (Jenna Montonye) Sager; his grandma, Donna DeFor, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal papa, David DeFor; paternal grandparents, James H. Riley and Eddie Mae Riley.

Praise be to God for the gift of Elijah!

A funeral service for Elijah will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 16, 2024, at Cornerstone Church in Austin. The visitation will take place from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family to assist with the cost of the funeral. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.