Hauff, Elizabeth 1915-2008

HAUFF, METZGER, RHEA

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 12/23/2008 at 18:13:41

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Elizabeth Hauff, 93, of Merrill, died Monday, Dec. 22, 2008, at Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars.

Elizabeth Irwin Rhea was born April 4, 1915, at Sioux City, the daughter of Robert and Alice (Metzger) Rhea. Elizabeth was baptized and confirmed into the Episcopal faith. Elizabeth grew up in Sioux City and graduated with honors from Central High School in 1933. Elizabeth had worked at the Orpheum Theater as a young woman.

She was united in marriage to Warren Hauff Oct. 5, 1937, at Dakota City, Neb. The couple lived in Des Moines where Warren worked for Spaulding Sporting Goods. In the early 1940s, Elizabeth, Warren and family moved to Merrill as Warren began working and later assumed ownership of Hauff Hardware until selling the business in 1998.

Elizabeth purchased the "Merrill Reminder and published it for many years. She was a talented seamstress, enjoyed baking, and shopping, especially for perfume and jewelry. She also enjoyed reading mysteries and watching old movies.

Elizabeth was a life-long member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, former member of the Eastern Star for several years and was a former member of Merrill Women's Club. She also belonged to PEO and Sclerosis Club of Soux City.

Survivors include two children, Sara Jane Hauff of Merrill and her husband Ronald Osborne of Des Moines and Timothy Hauff and his wife Tawin Pasujit of Las Vegas, Nev.; six grandchildren: Julianne Gannon and her husband Charles and their family Adam, Noah, and Rachel, Matthew Bobier and his wife Jean, Rebekah Adams and her husband Gary and their family Sarah and Gretchen, Shelly Batman and her husband Shannon and their family Blake and Madilyn, Joseph Hauff, and David Hauff.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Alice (Metzger) Rhea; her husband, Warren Hauff, March 25, 2005; a daughter, Gretchen Hauff; and a son, David Hauff.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Ronald Osborne and the Rev. Karen Wacome officiating. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Merrill. Following the committal service, their will be a reception at the Merrill United Methodist Church for family and friends. Visitations with the family present will be from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars.