Eleanor Loftsgard
Eleanor Loftsgard, 91, Elgin, Iowa, died Sunday, May 3, 2015, at the Good Samaritan Society, West Union, Iowa.
Eleanor Rachel, the daughter of John and Louisa (Sutter) Butikofer, was born April 20, 1924 on the home farm in Cherry Valley, south of Elgin.
She grew up in the Elgin Apostolic Church.
After her father, John, passed away at an early age, her mother married John’s brother, Louis Butikofer.
Eleanor attended country school at Cherry Valley and graduated from Elgin High School in 1942.
Eleanor was united in marriage with Orlando Loftsgard on January 14, 1943 at the Marion Lutheran Church in Gunder, Iowa.
Orlando was already serving with the 101st Airborne Division at the time of their marriage, so Eleanor stayed with her sister in Postville, Iowa until his return.
Eleanor and Orlando began living and working on a farm across the road from Orlando’s parents near Gunder. They raised milk cows, pigs, and started a herd of Simmental cattle.
Due to Orlando’s health, the family moved to Norwood, Missouri in 1980. Orlando did custom farm work for area farmers and raised hay on their own farm.
After Orlando’s death in 1998, Eleanor returned to Elgin and lived there until 2008.
She then moved to Traditions in West Union and lived there until entering the Good Samaritan Society in West Union.
Eleanor loved being a farm wife. She enjoyed doing the field work and helping with the chores. Eleanor enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s activities over the years. Eleanor and Orlando enjoyed traveling with their fold-down camper and when camping at various places, they would walk around and meet new people at the different campsites. She enjoyed embroidering, cooking, and baking.
Eleanor was a member of the Marion Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid in Gunder; the Elgin American Legion Auxiliary; and the Elgin Mealsite.
Eleanor is survived by her children, Kaye (Chuck) Schmainda of Avon, Minnesota; Kendra (Paul) Fauser of Elgin, Iowa; Norman (Brenda) Loftsgard of Troy, Missouri; and Kara (Jeff) Roden of Clever, Missouri; ten grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; her sister, Eunice Schlee of Postville, Iowa; and her sister-in-law, Josephine Smith of Monona, Iowa.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Orlando; one son, Wayne Dean Loftsgard, who died two days after his birth; her parents, John and Louisa; her stepfather, Louis; three brothers; and four sisters.
Funeral Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2015 at the Marion Lutheran Church in Gunder, Iowa. Rev. Marshall Hahn was the officiant.
Visitation was held on Thursday, May 7, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home in Elgin, Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Friday.
Interment was held in the church cemetery.
Condolences may be left at: www.graufuneralhomes.com.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Elgin, Iowa assisted the family with the arrangements. 19u19
