1915
Elfie
2012
Elfie Kalmoe
April 2, 1915 — March 7, 2012
Funeral services for Elfie Elnora Kalmoe of Starbuck, Minnesota will be held Monday, March 12, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home Commons in Starbuck. Reverend Paul Johnson will be officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services on Monday. Burial will be at Fron Lutheran Cemetery, rural Starbuck.
Elfie Elnora Benson, daughter of Anton and Hannah (Anderson) Benson, was born April 2, 1915 in Hantho Township in Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota. She was baptized by Reverend Paul Tetlie and confirmed by Reverend L.O. Onerheim at Minnesota Valley Church near Louisburg, Minnesota. Elfie attended Hantho Consolidated School until the 8th grade when she transferred to Appleton High School, graduating with the class of 1935. In 1940, Elfie had the opportunity to go to California and work as a nanny. She enjoyed the wonderful weather of California and thought the Rose Bowl Parade was really something to see and "Smell". She returned to Minnesota in 1942. On September 19, 1943, Elfie was united in marriage to Leonard Kalmoe by Reverend L.O.Onerheim and Reverend Alvin Rogen at the Minnesota Valley Church. Following their marriage, the couple made their home on a farm near Louisburg. In 1945, they moved to a farm they had purchased near Hoffman, Minnesota. In 1959, they bought a farm south of Starbuck. They lived there for 11 years and then retired from farming, selling the farm to their son, and moved into Starbuck.
Elfie worked for 3 ½ years at the Sunwood Inn in Morris. She and her co-workers worked hard to get the Sunwood Inn ready for the Grand Opening. In 1975, Elfie began working at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home. She loved talking to the residents and playing jokes on her co-workers. She always had a warm smile, infectious laughter and a twinkle in her eyes. She retired in 1986 and a few months later, Leonard passed away. She remained in her home until 1988, when she moved into Hi-View Apartments in Starbuck. She developed warm friendships with the other apartment tenants, often playing cards until 1:00 am on New Year's Eve. In 2005, Elfie moved into Holly Ridge Manor. She made good friends with the other residents and the staff. In 2007, she moved to the Minnewaska Lutheran Home, where she continued to make her home until the time of her death.
Elfie was an active member of her church in Louisburg, Hoffman and Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck, holding several offices including teaching Sunday School, League Advisor, Ladies Aid officer to name a few. She loved having her pet animals in the house, which included dogs and cats. Her favorite was Mitzey, whom she had for 17 years. She enjoyed doing Search the Word puzzles, playing the organ, doing crafts and sewing dolls and teddy bears. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Elfie died March 7, 2012 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, MN. She lived to reach the age of 96 years.
She is survived by her children, Marilyn (Leon) Smith of Donnelly, Paul (Pat) Kalmoe of Phoenix, AZ, Robert (Belinda) Kalmoe of Weatherford, TX and Alice Edwards of Nashville, TN; one sister, Avis (Roy) Larson of Madison; grandchildren, Steven (Kathleen) Fischer, Chris (Janelle) Smith, Cathy (Lorin) Miller, Paul Kalmoe Jr., Russell Kalmoe, Cheryl Kalmoe, Jennifer Kirby and Nicola Kirby; 15 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two sisters, Burnette and Elvina; grandson, Randy; niece, Cheryl and nephews, James, Robert and Don.
Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements.
Elfie Elnora Benson, daughter of Anton and Hannah (Anderson) Benson, was born April 2, 1915 in Hantho Township in Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota. She was baptized by Reverend Paul Tetlie and confirmed by Reverend L.O. Onerheim at Minnesota Valley Church near Louisburg, Minnesota. Elfie attended Hantho Consolidated School until the 8th grade when she transferred to Appleton High School, graduating with the class of 1935. In 1940, Elfie had the opportunity to go to California and work as a nanny. She enjoyed the wonderful weather of California and thought the Rose Bowl Parade was really something to see and "Smell". She returned to Minnesota in 1942. On September 19, 1943, Elfie was united in marriage to Leonard Kalmoe by Reverend L.O.Onerheim and Reverend Alvin Rogen at the Minnesota Valley Church. Following their marriage, the couple made their home on a farm near Louisburg. In 1945, they moved to a farm they had purchased near Hoffman, Minnesota. In 1959, they bought a farm south of Starbuck. They lived there for 11 years and then retired from farming, selling the farm to their son, and moved into Starbuck.
Elfie worked for 3 ½ years at the Sunwood Inn in Morris. She and her co-workers worked hard to get the Sunwood Inn ready for the Grand Opening. In 1975, Elfie began working at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home. She loved talking to the residents and playing jokes on her co-workers. She always had a warm smile, infectious laughter and a twinkle in her eyes. She retired in 1986 and a few months later, Leonard passed away. She remained in her home until 1988, when she moved into Hi-View Apartments in Starbuck. She developed warm friendships with the other apartment tenants, often playing cards until 1:00 am on New Year's Eve. In 2005, Elfie moved into Holly Ridge Manor. She made good friends with the other residents and the staff. In 2007, she moved to the Minnewaska Lutheran Home, where she continued to make her home until the time of her death.
Elfie was an active member of her church in Louisburg, Hoffman and Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck, holding several offices including teaching Sunday School, League Advisor, Ladies Aid officer to name a few. She loved having her pet animals in the house, which included dogs and cats. Her favorite was Mitzey, whom she had for 17 years. She enjoyed doing Search the Word puzzles, playing the organ, doing crafts and sewing dolls and teddy bears. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Elfie died March 7, 2012 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, MN. She lived to reach the age of 96 years.
She is survived by her children, Marilyn (Leon) Smith of Donnelly, Paul (Pat) Kalmoe of Phoenix, AZ, Robert (Belinda) Kalmoe of Weatherford, TX and Alice Edwards of Nashville, TN; one sister, Avis (Roy) Larson of Madison; grandchildren, Steven (Kathleen) Fischer, Chris (Janelle) Smith, Cathy (Lorin) Miller, Paul Kalmoe Jr., Russell Kalmoe, Cheryl Kalmoe, Jennifer Kirby and Nicola Kirby; 15 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two sisters, Burnette and Elvina; grandson, Randy; niece, Cheryl and nephews, James, Robert and Don.
Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements.
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