Elsner, Thelma Elizabeth

ELSNER, STEINES, VARNER, MEYER, EICHELBERGER, HANSEN, TODTZ, IHRIG, NELSON, DEVOSS

Posted By: Ruth Maring - VOLUNTEER
Date: 7/1/2010 at 19:09:17

Thelma Elizabeth Elsner
(July 18, 1922 - June 21, 2010)

Thelma E. (Mrs. Clarence) Elsner, 87, DeWitt, Iowa, died Monday morning, June 21, 2010 at The Alverno, Clinton, Iowa.
Mrs. Elsner, the former Thelma Elizabeth Steines was born July 18, 1922 in Spragueville, Iowa. Although Thelma had an 8th grade education, she was a lifelong learner. On August 8, 1940, Thelma was united in marriage to Clarence Charles Elsner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa, Iowa. The couple resided mostly in rural areas of Jackson and Clinton Counties, raising their seven children. They later moved to DeWitt. Clarence preceded Thelma in death November 3, 1975. She later did some volunteer work in the community.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt, and the Altar and Rosary Society. Thelma was a loving gardener, baker and seamstress, sewing all of her children’s clothing. She put her heart into everything she did, making sure she did it correctly. Thelma was proud of being able to provide for her family through canning and preserving food. Her recollection of names and dates was amazing. She cherished the time spent with her family and many friends.

Surviving are her children, Madonna Varner, Maquoketa, Leonard (Linda) Elsner, Calamus, Iowa, Irma (Fred) Meyer, Maquoketa, Bill (Shirley) Elsner, Stetsonville, Wisconsin, Mary (Roger) Eichelberger, Muscatine, Iowa, Carolyn “Kay” (Duane) Hansen, Moweaqua, Illinois, Jean Todtz, Clinton; 27 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Ralph Steines, Wheatland, Iowa, Loren (Darlene) Steines, Alpha, Illinois, William “Butch” Steines, Dixon, Iowa; sisters, Doris (Dale) Ihrig, Maquoketa, and Junice Nelson, Stockbridge, Georgia.

Preceding Thelma in death in addition to her husband were her parents, a son-in-law, Melvin Todtz, twin infant great-grandchildren Meredith and Jacob Meyer, brothers, Delbert, Eldred, Leroy “Red” and Robert, and a sister, Alice DeVoss.

Visitation will be at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 24, 2010 with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 25, 2010 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt, with the Rev. Fr. Paul Connolly officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy memorials may be made to St. Joseph Church, a Hospice of your choice or the American Cancer Society.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Mark Varner, Nick Meyer, Mike Varner, Daryl Eichelberger, Rich Hansen and David McDonald.

Condolences may be expressed at nelsoncfuneralhome.com

Nelson Funeral Home, DeWitt, in charge of arrangements.

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