Elda Mildred Schefus

Obituary

Elda Mildred (Meyer) Schefus was born on July 21, 1919, in Ridgely Township, Nicollet County, Minnesota, to William and Emma (Mattke) Meyer.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran of Ridgely Township, attended country school in Nicollet County, and graduated from Fairfax High School in 1937 as valedictorian of her class.  She received a teaching degree from Mankato Teachers' College and taught in a one-room elementary school in West Newton Township, Nicollet County, for four years.

Elda married Elmer T. Schefus on June 23, 1943, at St. John's Lutheran Church of Ridgely Township. They purchased a farm from Elmer's uncle in Cairo Township, Renville County that had originally been owned by his grandparents. They farmed for over 48 years until Elmer's death in 1991. Elda subsequently purchased a home in Fairfax, and she later moved to Countryview Estates and then to the Fairfax Community Home.

In earlier days, Elda was an active member in St. John's Lutheran Church in Fairfax, including participation in the Ladies Aid Society, volunteer work with prison ministry, and substitute teaching in their school. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, embroidering, baking, reading and working crossword puzzles.

Elda is survived by her:

five daughters and sons-in-law,     Carol and John Bader of Marinette, WI,

Elaine and Steve Tiffenbach of Highlands Ranch, CO,

Darlene and Don Zimmerman of Belle Plaine, MN,      

Diane and Steve Hanson of Dassel, MN, and

Susan and Tim Chattin of Farmington, MN;

son-in-law, Ed Strobl,

11 grandchildren;

14 great-grandchildren;

sister, Laneta Havemeier of New Ulm, MN;

brother, Ralph Meyer of New Ulm, MN;

many nieces and nephews.

Elda was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter in 1947; husband, Elmer in 1991; her daughter Donna Strobl in 2004; sister and brother-in-law, Delores and Roland Rathman; brother-in-law, Willis Havemeier; and sister-in-law, LaDonna Meyer.