Ruth Elsbernd
Ruth Elsbernd, age 91, of Calmar, IA, died on Monday, July 4, 2016, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, IA.
Mass of Christian burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 7, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar.
Reverend Robert Gross, Reverend Donald Hawes and Deacon Andrew Marr officiated.
Interment was held in the St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery in Calmar.
Ruth Kathryn (Uhlenhake) Elsbernd was born on June 5, 1925, the daughter of Ted and Alice (Mansheim) Uhlenhake on the family farm near Ossian. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar. She was united in marriage to Linus J. Elsbernd on June 13, 1944, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, and to this union, five children were born: Juanita, Jim, Keith, Eileen and Joyce. Linus and Ruth farmed northeast of Calmar until semi-retiring to the Frank and Ida Elsbernd farm, southwest of Calmar in 1980. Due to declining health, Ruth moved to the Ossian Senior Hospice in 2012. Ruth’s greatest loves was Linus and her family. She was a devoted wife and farming partner to Linus. Ruth took great pleasure in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always attended as many family activities as she could; she was always supportive of their many interests. Ruth was a life-long member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church and the Rosary Society.
Ruth is survived by her five children: Juanita Cole, Cedar Rapids, IA; Jim (Margaret) Elsbernd, Ossian, IA; Keith (Sandra) Elsbernd, Calmar, IA; Eileen (John) Schissel, Fertile, IA and Joyce (Kevin) Meyer, Spillville, IA. Ten grandchildren: John Cole; Jennifer (Brett Peterson) Cole; Andrew (Clare) Cole; Richard (Kay) Elsbernd; Michael (Nichole Colsch) Elsbernd; David Elsbernd; Kristin (Cale) Tesch; Melissa (Jason Van Pelt) Elsbernd, Lisa Keigan and Scott (Kendra) Meyer. Sixteen great grandchildren: Erica Cole; Nils and Lottie Peterson; Harry, Joseph, Miriam, Thomas, John Paul, Gwendolyn and Campion Cole; Julissa and Anthony Elsbernd and Ethan and Abigail Elsbernd, Cayden Keigan and soon to arrive Byron Meyer. Two sisters: Virginia Reicks, New Hampton, IA, and Shirley Schmitt, Ossian, IA. One sister-in-law: Kathryn Uhlenhake, Ossian, IA. One brother-in-law: Cletus Elsbernd, Ossian, IA, along with many nieces and nephews.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Alice (Mansheim) Uhlenhake. Her husband: Linus Elsbernd in 2004. Son-in-law: Harry Cole in 1988. Brothers: Walter in infancy and Ray Uhlenhake. Sisters: Lucille Uhlenhake and Irene (Louis) Tieskoetter. Brothers and sisters-in-law: Norbert Reicks, Virgil and Virginia Humpal, Georgina Elsbernd, Romuald (Dorothy) (Florine) Elsbernd and Myron Elsbernd.
The family wishes to thank the Ossian Senior Hospice for the loving care Ruth received in her final years and the love and support given to her family in her final days. God bless you always.
Schluter-Balik Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.