Elsie Hofstetter, 96, Mitchell, died Thursday, August 2, 2007 at Prairie Crossings Assisted Living in Mitchell. Funeral services will be Monday, 10:30 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be from 6-8PM Sunday evening at the Bittner Funeral Chapel. In lieu of gifts in any form, donations may be directed to the Elsie Hofstetter Trust to be used for charitable purposes and scholarships to local rural students.
Elsa (Schroeder) Hamann) Hofstetter (known familiarly as 'Elsie') passed away on August 2, 2007 at Prairie Crossings Assisted Living, Mitchell, South Dakota.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, August 5th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Bittners Funeral Chapel, 805 West Havens, Mitchell. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 6th at 10:30 am at the Zion Lutheran Church, 620 East Third Avenue, Mitchell, South Dakota with Rev. Victor Dorn officiating. Burial will be at the Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell.
Elsa Schroeder was born November 12, 1910, to John and Marie (Brunken) Schroeder on their farm in Jerauld County, South Dakota. Elsie completed 8 years of formal education and received her diploma at a rural school in Jerauld County. This though was not the last of Elsa's learning; she fully understood the value of education and vigorously continued her informal learning and teaching all of her life, encouraging all of those around her to do the same.
Elsa spoke often of her beloved father and the time and attention he paid to her. The time spent tending to the family bee business with her father was especially dear to her as they worked side by side more as comfortable companions than as father and daughter. He instilled in her a pride in work, the knowledge that there was a particular, right way to do things, a firm sense of self and the confidence to assert her place in the world.
Elsa met and was courted by Ray Hamann who she married on September 8, 1934 and with whom she had two children, Jon Ray of Buffalo, NY and Kay (Hamann) Barnum of Anchorage, AK. Starting with a wedding gift of a cow, they together sharecropped a farm outside of Lane, farming in the old style with a mix of livestock and cultivating a variety of crops at the beginning via horse and human power. Elsa was known for her many abilities, not the least of which might be said to include how she kept her family in vegetables during the 'Dirty 30's, but especially for her prowess in the kitchen.
Elsa did whatever it took to take care of her family, sell eggs and cream, cut hair, do seamstress work and serve as assistant Post-mistress in Lane; her mind was solidly trained on how she could advance her family, even to the extent that in the last month of her life she wondered aloud why she hadn't dealt more in cattle as that seemed to be where the money was. It must be noted that Elsa also participated in the civic life of the greater Lane community, particularly through her church and the Ladies Aid Society.
Elsa lost her husband Ray in an auto accident in 1961 which left her as the sole operator of their farm. Though she was also seriously hurt in this accident, she emerged to take charge of the farm and turn it back into a going concern.
On January 9, 1979 Elsa married Walter Hofstetter of Wessington Springs, S.D. and began a new chapter of her life as a volunteer recruiter, youth educator, State Fair representative, and generally serving in whatever capacity she could for the South Dakota Farmers Union. Elsa and Walt together traveled widely in these efforts and in 1991 won the Alice Tofflefson Memorial Award for Outstanding Membership Development.
Elsa was a true product of South Dakota. Fervently proud of the state, she was always eager to show others its beauty. Rodeos, speedway races, Native American and cowboy history, knowing how to draw a rifle bead on a rabbit that no one else could see--all of it was part of Elsa. As a mother there were none that compared to her own two offspring. As a grandmother she was a carrier of wisdom, a storyteller, a futurist. As a great-grandmother she was charmed to see the look of the future.
She remains an example to those who have known and loved her but especially to her family: son, Jon Ray Hamann and his wife, Leslie Edmiston, of Buffalo, NY; daughter, Kay (Hamann) Barnum and husband, Gary Archer (deceased), of Anchorage, AK; and her adopted family, Harlan Star and his wife, Joyce, of Mitchell, SD and her adopted Russian family, Luda Smelova Anderson of Anchorage, AK. 16 Grandchildren; Lon Hamann and wife, Anna, of Montgomery Village, MD, Jonna Hamann and husband, Clayton Jay Burney, of Sardinia, NY, Ray Hamann and wife, Lynn, of Bel Air, MD, Dejon Hamann and wife, Erin Horton, of Buffalo, New York, Aaron Adoff of Buffalo, NY, Kunji Maya Rey of Brooklyn, NY, Joneb Cohen-Hamann and wife, Zandra Star Ramtahal, Christiansted, St. Criox, VI, Alpha Hamann and partner, James Nitzkorski, of New York, NY, Lejon Hamann and wife, Anna, of Ft. Bragg, NC, stationed presently in Afghanistan, Jodi Hamann and partner, Christine Gallisdorfer, of Bratislava, Slovakia, and Brett Archer and wife, Elizabeth, of Hillsboro, OR, Lance Archer and wife, Ashley, of Palm Springs, CA, Stacy and Ksusha Smelova of Anchorage, AK, and Jay and Emily Star of Mitchell, SD. 12 Great-Grandchildren; JaJean Rose and Jamie Burney, sons of Jonna and Clayton (Jay); Isaac, son of Aaron; Tanner and Alana, son and daughter of Lon and Anna; Tyler and Georgia, son and daughter of Ray and Lynn; Jett, son of Dejon and Erin, Brandon and Grace, son and daughter of Brett and Elizabeth, Denali, daughter of Lance and Ashley and lastly, Aurora, daughter of Emily.
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents John and Marie Schroeder, her sisters, Helen and Minna, an infant brother, Edmund, and brothers Otto and Victor. Also pre-deceased by her husband, Ray Hamann and husband, Walter Hofstetter.
The family requests that in lieu of gifts in usual form, donations be directed to THE ELSIE HOFSTETTER TRUST, Attn: Dennis R. Padrnos, Attorney at Law, 200 East 5th Ave., P.O. Box 995, Mitchell, SD 57301, from which, amongst its various charitable purposes, annual scholarships will be awarded to selected local rural students.
Bittner Funeral Chapel, Mitchell, SD
Elsa (Schroeder) Hamann) Hofstetter (known familiarly as 'Elsie') passed away on August 2, 2007 at Prairie Crossings Assisted Living, Mitchell, South Dakota.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, August 5th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Bittners Funeral Chapel, 805 West Havens, Mitchell. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 6th at 10:30 am at the Zion Lutheran Church, 620 East Third Avenue, Mitchell, South Dakota with Rev. Victor Dorn officiating. Burial will be at the Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell.
Elsa Schroeder was born November 12, 1910, to John and Marie (Brunken) Schroeder on their farm in Jerauld County, South Dakota. Elsie completed 8 years of formal education and received her diploma at a rural school in Jerauld County. This though was not the last of Elsa's learning; she fully understood the value of education and vigorously continued her informal learning and teaching all of her life, encouraging all of those around her to do the same.
Elsa spoke often of her beloved father and the time and attention he paid to her. The time spent tending to the family bee business with her father was especially dear to her as they worked side by side more as comfortable companions than as father and daughter. He instilled in her a pride in work, the knowledge that there was a particular, right way to do things, a firm sense of self and the confidence to assert her place in the world.
Elsa met and was courted by Ray Hamann who she married on September 8, 1934 and with whom she had two children, Jon Ray of Buffalo, NY and Kay (Hamann) Barnum of Anchorage, AK. Starting with a wedding gift of a cow, they together sharecropped a farm outside of Lane, farming in the old style with a mix of livestock and cultivating a variety of crops at the beginning via horse and human power. Elsa was known for her many abilities, not the least of which might be said to include how she kept her family in vegetables during the 'Dirty 30's, but especially for her prowess in the kitchen.
Elsa did whatever it took to take care of her family, sell eggs and cream, cut hair, do seamstress work and serve as assistant Post-mistress in Lane; her mind was solidly trained on how she could advance her family, even to the extent that in the last month of her life she wondered aloud why she hadn't dealt more in cattle as that seemed to be where the money was. It must be noted that Elsa also participated in the civic life of the greater Lane community, particularly through her church and the Ladies Aid Society.
Elsa lost her husband Ray in an auto accident in 1961 which left her as the sole operator of their farm. Though she was also seriously hurt in this accident, she emerged to take charge of the farm and turn it back into a going concern.
On January 9, 1979 Elsa married Walter Hofstetter of Wessington Springs, S.D. and began a new chapter of her life as a volunteer recruiter, youth educator, State Fair representative, and generally serving in whatever capacity she could for the South Dakota Farmers Union. Elsa and Walt together traveled widely in these efforts and in 1991 won the Alice Tofflefson Memorial Award for Outstanding Membership Development.
Elsa was a true product of South Dakota. Fervently proud of the state, she was always eager to show others its beauty. Rodeos, speedway races, Native American and cowboy history, knowing how to draw a rifle bead on a rabbit that no one else could see--all of it was part of Elsa. As a mother there were none that compared to her own two offspring. As a grandmother she was a carrier of wisdom, a storyteller, a futurist. As a great-grandmother she was charmed to see the look of the future.
She remains an example to those who have known and loved her but especially to her family: son, Jon Ray Hamann and his wife, Leslie Edmiston, of Buffalo, NY; daughter, Kay (Hamann) Barnum and husband, Gary Archer (deceased), of Anchorage, AK; and her adopted family, Harlan Star and his wife, Joyce, of Mitchell, SD and her adopted Russian family, Luda Smelova Anderson of Anchorage, AK. 16 Grandchildren; Lon Hamann and wife, Anna, of Montgomery Village, MD, Jonna Hamann and husband, Clayton Jay Burney, of Sardinia, NY, Ray Hamann and wife, Lynn, of Bel Air, MD, Dejon Hamann and wife, Erin Horton, of Buffalo, New York, Aaron Adoff of Buffalo, NY, Kunji Maya Rey of Brooklyn, NY, Joneb Cohen-Hamann and wife, Zandra Star Ramtahal, Christiansted, St. Criox, VI, Alpha Hamann and partner, James Nitzkorski, of New York, NY, Lejon Hamann and wife, Anna, of Ft. Bragg, NC, stationed presently in Afghanistan, Jodi Hamann and partner, Christine Gallisdorfer, of Bratislava, Slovakia, and Brett Archer and wife, Elizabeth, of Hillsboro, OR, Lance Archer and wife, Ashley, of Palm Springs, CA, Stacy and Ksusha Smelova of Anchorage, AK, and Jay and Emily Star of Mitchell, SD. 12 Great-Grandchildren; JaJean Rose and Jamie Burney, sons of Jonna and Clayton (Jay); Isaac, son of Aaron; Tanner and Alana, son and daughter of Lon and Anna; Tyler and Georgia, son and daughter of Ray and Lynn; Jett, son of Dejon and Erin, Brandon and Grace, son and daughter of Brett and Elizabeth, Denali, daughter of Lance and Ashley and lastly, Aurora, daughter of Emily.
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents John and Marie Schroeder, her sisters, Helen and Minna, an infant brother, Edmund, and brothers Otto and Victor. Also pre-deceased by her husband, Ray Hamann and husband, Walter Hofstetter.
The family requests that in lieu of gifts in usual form, donations be directed to THE ELSIE HOFSTETTER TRUST, Attn: Dennis R. Padrnos, Attorney at Law, 200 East 5th Ave., P.O. Box 995, Mitchell, SD 57301, from which, amongst its various charitable purposes, annual scholarships will be awarded to selected local rural students.
Bittner Funeral Chapel, Mitchell, SD
Elsie Hofstetter, 96, Mitchell, died Thursday, August 2, 2007 at Prairie Crossings Assisted Living in Mitchell. Funeral services will be Monday, 10:30 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be from 6-8PM Sunday evening at the Bittner Funeral Chapel. In lieu of gifts in any form, donations may be directed to the Elsie Hofstetter Trust to be used for charitable purposes and scholarships to local rural students.
Elsa (Schroeder) Hamann) Hofstetter (known familiarly as 'Elsie') passed away on August 2, 2007 at Prairie Crossings Assisted Living, Mitchell, South Dakota.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, August 5th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Bittners Funeral Chapel, 805 West Havens, Mitchell. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 6th at 10:30 am at the Zion Lutheran Church, 620 East Third Avenue, Mitchell, South Dakota with Rev. Victor Dorn officiating. Burial will be at the Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell.
Elsa Schroeder was born November 12, 1910, to John and Marie (Brunken) Schroeder on their farm in Jerauld County, South Dakota. Elsie completed 8 years of formal education and received her diploma at a rural school in Jerauld County. This though was not the last of Elsa's learning; she fully understood the value of education and vigorously continued her informal learning and teaching all of her life, encouraging all of those around her to do the same.
Elsa spoke often of her beloved father and the time and attention he paid to her. The time spent tending to the family bee business with her father was especially dear to her as they worked side by side more as comfortable companions than as father and daughter. He instilled in her a pride in work, the knowledge that there was a particular, right way to do things, a firm sense of self and the confidence to assert her place in the world.
Elsa met and was courted by Ray Hamann who she married on September 8, 1934 and with whom she had two children, Jon Ray of Buffalo, NY and Kay (Hamann) Barnum of Anchorage, AK. Starting with a wedding gift of a cow, they together sharecropped a farm outside of Lane, farming in the old style with a mix of livestock and cultivating a variety of crops at the beginning via horse and human power. Elsa was known for her many abilities, not the least of which might be said to include how she kept her family in vegetables during the 'Dirty 30's, but especially for her prowess in the kitchen.
Elsa did whatever it took to take care of her family, sell eggs and cream, cut hair, do seamstress work and serve as assistant Post-mistress in Lane; her mind was solidly trained on how she could advance her family, even to the extent that in the last month of her life she wondered aloud why she hadn't dealt more in cattle as that seemed to be where the money was. It must be noted that Elsa also participated in the civic life of the greater Lane community, particularly through her church and the Ladies Aid Society.
Elsa lost her husband Ray in an auto accident in 1961 which left her as the sole operator of their farm. Though she was also seriously hurt in this accident, she emerged to take charge of the farm and turn it back into a going concern.
On January 9, 1979 Elsa married Walter Hofstetter of Wessington Springs, S.D. and began a new chapter of her life as a volunteer recruiter, youth educator, State Fair representative, and generally serving in whatever capacity she could for the South Dakota Farmers Union. Elsa and Walt together traveled widely in these efforts and in 1991 won the Alice Tofflefson Memorial Award for Outstanding Membership Development.
Elsa was a true product of South Dakota. Fervently proud of the state, she was always eager to show others its beauty. Rodeos, speedway races, Native American and cowboy history, knowing how to draw a rifle bead on a rabbit that no one else could see--all of it was part of Elsa. As a mother there were none that compared to her own two offspring. As a grandmother she was a carrier of wisdom, a storyteller, a futurist. As a great-grandmother she was charmed to see the look of the future.
She remains an example to those who have known and loved her but especially to her family: son, Jon Ray Hamann and his wife, Leslie Edmiston, of Buffalo, NY; daughter, Kay (Hamann) Barnum and husband, Gary Archer (deceased), of Anchorage, AK; and her adopted family, Harlan Star and his wife, Joyce, of Mitchell, SD and her adopted Russian family, Luda Smelova Anderson of Anchorage, AK. 16 Grandchildren; Lon Hamann and wife, Anna, of Montgomery Village, MD, Jonna Hamann and husband, Clayton Jay Burney, of Sardinia, NY, Ray Hamann and wife, Lynn, of Bel Air, MD, Dejon Hamann and wife, Erin Horton, of Buffalo, New York, Aaron Adoff of Buffalo, NY, Kunji Maya Rey of Brooklyn, NY, Joneb Cohen-Hamann and wife, Zandra Star Ramtahal, Christiansted, St. Criox, VI, Alpha Hamann and partner, James Nitzkorski, of New York, NY, Lejon Hamann and wife, Anna, of Ft. Bragg, NC, stationed presently in Afghanistan, Jodi Hamann and partner, Christine Gallisdorfer, of Bratislava, Slovakia, and Brett Archer and wife, Elizabeth, of Hillsboro, OR, Lance Archer and wife, Ashley, of Palm Springs, CA, Stacy and Ksusha Smelova of Anchorage, AK, and Jay and Emily Star of Mitchell, SD. 12 Great-Grandchildren; JaJean Rose and Jamie Burney, sons of Jonna and Clayton (Jay); Isaac, son of Aaron; Tanner and Alana, son and daughter of Lon and Anna; Tyler and Georgia, son and daughter of Ray and Lynn; Jett, son of Dejon and Erin, Brandon and Grace, son and daughter of Brett and Elizabeth, Denali, daughter of Lance and Ashley and lastly, Aurora, daughter of Emily.
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents John and Marie Schroeder, her sisters, Helen and Minna, an infant brother, Edmund, and brothers Otto and Victor. Also pre-deceased by her husband, Ray Hamann and husband, Walter Hofstetter.
The family requests that in lieu of gifts in usual form, donations be directed to THE ELSIE HOFSTETTER TRUST, Attn: Dennis R. Padrnos, Attorney at Law, 200 East 5th Ave., P.O. Box 995, Mitchell, SD 57301, from which, amongst its various charitable purposes, annual scholarships will be awarded to selected local rural students.
Bittner Funeral Chapel, Mitchell, SD
Elsa (Schroeder) Hamann) Hofstetter (known familiarly as 'Elsie') passed away on August 2, 2007 at Prairie Crossings Assisted Living, Mitchell, South Dakota.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, August 5th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Bittners Funeral Chapel, 805 West Havens, Mitchell. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 6th at 10:30 am at the Zion Lutheran Church, 620 East Third Avenue, Mitchell, South Dakota with Rev. Victor Dorn officiating. Burial will be at the Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell.
Elsa Schroeder was born November 12, 1910, to John and Marie (Brunken) Schroeder on their farm in Jerauld County, South Dakota. Elsie completed 8 years of formal education and received her diploma at a rural school in Jerauld County. This though was not the last of Elsa's learning; she fully understood the value of education and vigorously continued her informal learning and teaching all of her life, encouraging all of those around her to do the same.
Elsa spoke often of her beloved father and the time and attention he paid to her. The time spent tending to the family bee business with her father was especially dear to her as they worked side by side more as comfortable companions than as father and daughter. He instilled in her a pride in work, the knowledge that there was a particular, right way to do things, a firm sense of self and the confidence to assert her place in the world.
Elsa met and was courted by Ray Hamann who she married on September 8, 1934 and with whom she had two children, Jon Ray of Buffalo, NY and Kay (Hamann) Barnum of Anchorage, AK. Starting with a wedding gift of a cow, they together sharecropped a farm outside of Lane, farming in the old style with a mix of livestock and cultivating a variety of crops at the beginning via horse and human power. Elsa was known for her many abilities, not the least of which might be said to include how she kept her family in vegetables during the 'Dirty 30's, but especially for her prowess in the kitchen.
Elsa did whatever it took to take care of her family, sell eggs and cream, cut hair, do seamstress work and serve as assistant Post-mistress in Lane; her mind was solidly trained on how she could advance her family, even to the extent that in the last month of her life she wondered aloud why she hadn't dealt more in cattle as that seemed to be where the money was. It must be noted that Elsa also participated in the civic life of the greater Lane community, particularly through her church and the Ladies Aid Society.
Elsa lost her husband Ray in an auto accident in 1961 which left her as the sole operator of their farm. Though she was also seriously hurt in this accident, she emerged to take charge of the farm and turn it back into a going concern.
On January 9, 1979 Elsa married Walter Hofstetter of Wessington Springs, S.D. and began a new chapter of her life as a volunteer recruiter, youth educator, State Fair representative, and generally serving in whatever capacity she could for the South Dakota Farmers Union. Elsa and Walt together traveled widely in these efforts and in 1991 won the Alice Tofflefson Memorial Award for Outstanding Membership Development.
Elsa was a true product of South Dakota. Fervently proud of the state, she was always eager to show others its beauty. Rodeos, speedway races, Native American and cowboy history, knowing how to draw a rifle bead on a rabbit that no one else could see--all of it was part of Elsa. As a mother there were none that compared to her own two offspring. As a grandmother she was a carrier of wisdom, a storyteller, a futurist. As a great-grandmother she was charmed to see the look of the future.
She remains an example to those who have known and loved her but especially to her family: son, Jon Ray Hamann and his wife, Leslie Edmiston, of Buffalo, NY; daughter, Kay (Hamann) Barnum and husband, Gary Archer (deceased), of Anchorage, AK; and her adopted family, Harlan Star and his wife, Joyce, of Mitchell, SD and her adopted Russian family, Luda Smelova Anderson of Anchorage, AK. 16 Grandchildren; Lon Hamann and wife, Anna, of Montgomery Village, MD, Jonna Hamann and husband, Clayton Jay Burney, of Sardinia, NY, Ray Hamann and wife, Lynn, of Bel Air, MD, Dejon Hamann and wife, Erin Horton, of Buffalo, New York, Aaron Adoff of Buffalo, NY, Kunji Maya Rey of Brooklyn, NY, Joneb Cohen-Hamann and wife, Zandra Star Ramtahal, Christiansted, St. Criox, VI, Alpha Hamann and partner, James Nitzkorski, of New York, NY, Lejon Hamann and wife, Anna, of Ft. Bragg, NC, stationed presently in Afghanistan, Jodi Hamann and partner, Christine Gallisdorfer, of Bratislava, Slovakia, and Brett Archer and wife, Elizabeth, of Hillsboro, OR, Lance Archer and wife, Ashley, of Palm Springs, CA, Stacy and Ksusha Smelova of Anchorage, AK, and Jay and Emily Star of Mitchell, SD. 12 Great-Grandchildren; JaJean Rose and Jamie Burney, sons of Jonna and Clayton (Jay); Isaac, son of Aaron; Tanner and Alana, son and daughter of Lon and Anna; Tyler and Georgia, son and daughter of Ray and Lynn; Jett, son of Dejon and Erin, Brandon and Grace, son and daughter of Brett and Elizabeth, Denali, daughter of Lance and Ashley and lastly, Aurora, daughter of Emily.
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents John and Marie Schroeder, her sisters, Helen and Minna, an infant brother, Edmund, and brothers Otto and Victor. Also pre-deceased by her husband, Ray Hamann and husband, Walter Hofstetter.
The family requests that in lieu of gifts in usual form, donations be directed to THE ELSIE HOFSTETTER TRUST, Attn: Dennis R. Padrnos, Attorney at Law, 200 East 5th Ave., P.O. Box 995, Mitchell, SD 57301, from which, amongst its various charitable purposes, annual scholarships will be awarded to selected local rural students.
Bittner Funeral Chapel, Mitchell, SD
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