Elsie Mary Anna Bembenek

Obituary

Elsie Mary Anna Bembenek was born on July 22, 1923, at home in Sibley Township, Sibley County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Herman and Albertina (Briest) Hahn. Elsie was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth, both at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sibley Township. She received her education at Country School District #9 in Sibley Township.

On June 29, 1941, Elsie was united in marriage to Erich Bembenek at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sibley Township. After their marriage, the couple resided in Gaylord. Elsie was employed at Fingerhut and the Green Lantern Café, all in Gaylord. Elsie and Erich were blessed with five children. They shared 48 years of marriage before Erich passed away on June 29, 1989.

Elsie was a member of American Lutheran Church in Gaylord where she had served as a Sunday School Teacher. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary #433, and was honored as a Gold Star Mother having lost her son, Marlin in Vietnam.

Elsie enjoyed walking, gardening, traveling to Hawaii, Florida, Cozumel, and the Bahama’s, music, singing and yodeling. She especially loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

When she needed assistance with her daily care, Elsie became a resident of Oak Terrace Health Care Center in Gaylord and passed away there on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at the age of 91 years. Blessed be her memory.

Elsie is survived by her: 
Children,       Jan Barosh of Honolulu, HI,
                        Sandra Weckwerth and her husband, Richard of Gaylord, MN, and
                        Vernette Mehlhop and her husband, Steven of Gaylord, MN;
Daughter-In-Law, Danette Bembenek of Prior Lake, MN;
Grandchildren, Lisa Schilling of Gaylord, MN, Susan (John Breen) Weckwerth of Tubac, AZ, Jeffrey Mehlhop of Rockford, MN, Steven Mehlhop and his fiancée Angela Taylor of Gaylord, MN, Elizabeth (Chad) Stuewe of Glencoe, MN, Kaitlin Bembenek of Prior Lake, MN, and Garrett Bembenek of Prior Lake, MN;
Great-Grandchildren, Jonathon Schilling, Norique Stuewe, Hayden, Makayla and Eli Mehlhop;
Step-Great Grandchild, Wyatt Taylor;
Siblings, Herman (Vera) Hahn and Raymond (Marilyn) Hahn;
Sister-In-Law, Elfrieda Otting;
Many Nieces, Nephews, other relatives and friends.

Elsie was preceded in death by her Parents, Herman and Albertina Hahn; Husband, Erich Bembenek; Sons, Marlin Bembenek and Kevin Bembenek; Sisters, Bertha and Paul Goehl, Mabel and Levi Drennon, Brothers, George E. Hahn, Martin R. and Helen Hahn, Rueben and Gertrude Hahn, and Elmer Hahn in infancy; Sister-In-Law, Martha and Halbert Otto; Brothers-In-Law, William and Irene Bembenek, Ernest, Adolph, Paul, and Edwin Bembenek, and Edwin Otting.