Elaine C. Wilfahrt age 81, of Searles died peacefully on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 surrounded by her family at the Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 am on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm with Monsignor John A. Richter celebrating the Mass. Burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Monday, and 7:30-10 am on Tuesday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home, NORTH CHAPEL in New Ulm. The Christian Mothers will pray the rosary at 4 pm at the Cathedral on Monday, and St. Joseph/St. Elizabeth Catholic United will pray the rosary at 6pm at the funeral home on Monday.

To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to www.mvfh.org

Elaine is survived by her loving husband of sixty years, Harlan Wilfahrt of New Ulm; daughters, Monica (Jim) Heil of New Ulm, Lori (Mark) Thorson of Hutchinson, Kathy (Al) Drexler of New Ulm, Carol (Denis) Miling of New Ulm; sons, Loren “Bucky” Wilfahrt of New Ulm, Gary (Pauline) Wilfahrt of Hanska; grandchildren, Cole, Kaleb, DeAnna, Dustin, Gary Jr., Derek, Stephanie, Jason, Heather, Ryan, Collin, Shelly, Brady, Mckenna; step-grandchildren, Angie, Matt, Jeremy, Becky, Lisa, Dan; great-grandchildren, Blake, Kyla, Brynn, Grant, Austin, Finnley, MaLeya, Taylor, Eric; step-great-grandchildren, Hayley, Chloe, Coltin, Hunter, Dominick, Alison, Gunnar; sister, Lillian (Alfred) Aschenbrenner of New Ulm; and brother, Edmund “Buddy” Schroepfer of Sleepy Eye.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Vernon and Melvin Schroepfer; niece, Sheri (Aschenbrenner) Ubl; and nephew, Mickey Wilfert Jr.

Elaine Clara Schroepfer was born August 20, 1933 in Sleepy Eye to Edmund and Loretta (Seidl) Schroepfer. She was united in marriage to Harlan Wilfahrt on June 21, 1955 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. After marriage Elaine worked and lived on the John Massett Farm for a year and a half. The couple later moved to Sigel Township for another two years before eventually settling on the farm in Lake Hanska Township where together they farmed for 47 years. Elaine and Harlan retired to Searles in 2005. Early in life Elaine worked as a nanny, but after marriage she worked on the farm and raised their six children. As a devout Catholic, Elaine was quite involved with her church. She prayed the rosary multiple times a day. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church where she was active in the Christian Mothers, and St. Joseph/St. Elizabeth Catholic United. She greatly enjoyed embroidery, cooking, canning, and baking. She took tremendous pride in making certain everyone was fed. Elaine also loved watching and attending sporting events; especially ones her kids or grandkids were active in. What she enjoyed most in life was the times she spent with her family that she held so close to her heart. She will be missed dearly by all of those who knew her, but her memory will stay in our hearts forever.
A special thank you goes out to Elaine’s special angel Shelly Lamecker who provided her with such wonderful comfort and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to NUACS or the donor’s choice.