ERDMANN, Eleanor 1927-2005

ERDMANN, TOLZMAN, WHITE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/24/2009 at 16:51:43

Eleanor Erdmann

OSAGE, IOWA — Eleanor Erdmann, 77, of Osage, died Wednesday (Feb. 2, 2005) at Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage of injuries she received in an accidental fall.

Eleanor was born on the family farm near Morristown, Minn., on Oct. 10, 1927, the daughter of Jesse and Adelaide (Tolzman) White. She was the second of 12 children. Eleanor attended country school and graduated from Morristown High School.

Eleanor was united in marriage to Gilbert E. Erdmann on July 4, 1948, at Faribault, Minn. They made their home in Osage, where they raised five children.

Eleanor loved to entertain and always made sure that the table had an appropriate centerpiece for the occasion. A family gathering didn't just have one salad or vegetable, but usually two or three, all made with love.

Cooking was her interest her whole life, starting with helping to feed 11 siblings, to caring for her own five children, to preparing meals at the Mitchell County Memorial Hospital. No one ever left her house hungry.

Eleanor came from a very musical family and loved to sing a lively hymn. She also possessed the very unique ability of playing the saw. She had a very strong faith in God that guided her, her whole life.

Eleanor was a member of First Baptist Church in Osage and was a member of the Ann Judson Circle.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Osage with the Rev. Douglas Brown officiating. Inurnment will be in Osage Cemetery.

There will be a gathering of family and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday at Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

She is survived by her husband, Gilbert Erdmann of Osage; three daughters, Judy (Joel) Voaklander of Osage, Cheryl (Alan) Adams of Osage and Christie (Troy) Levenhagen of Mason City; two sons, Ken (Mary Kay) Erdmann of Plymouth and Kevin Erdmann of Osage; 12 grandchildren, Doug and Dawn Erdmann, Ben, Darin, Brent and Nathan Voaklander, Travis and Christopher Adams, Stephanie (Adams) Thompson and Courtney, Jona and Cameron Levenhagen; one stepgrandson, Jordan Beier; six great-grandchildren, Haley, Will, Adam, Lauren, Gwen and Ava Voaklander; 11 brothers and sisters, Arlene Engler, Thelma Derby, Jean (Ivan) Ludeman, Jerome (Betty) White, Elaine (Dale) Laun, Ione (Lloyd) Doerbaum, Genevieve Delk, Fred White, Ruth Ann (Karl) Pearson, Arvid (Shelly) White and Philip (Kathy) White; and one sister-in-law, Eveline Sorg.

She was preceded by her parents.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, (641) 732-3706.

[Globe Gazette]