Elsa Hoefs

Elsa Gertrude Hoefs was born March 11, 1913, in Crete, North Dakota, to Benjamin and Louise (Bublitz) Hamann. She was raised on the farm in North Dakota and moved with her parents to the Northfield area when she was in eighth grade. She graduated Northfield High School in 1931, and after her education worked in the Carleton College Dinning Room. She married Gordon H. Hoefs on October 15, 1936 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Northfield. After marriage they farmed in the Northfield area. While farming in Dennison during the 1960's, Elsa went to work at Frederick Willis Company in Northfield and later in Farmington. She retired in 1975. Gordon died in October 1983, and after his death, Elsa moved to Northfield.

Elsa has been a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield since 1996 and was a member of Solor Lutheran Church in Webster from 1955 to 1995. She enjoyed her family, her grandchildren, and working in the garden. She was a hard worker, always pleasant, had a good sense of humor, and was able to enjoy life without worrying about material things.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Joseph Stam of Gonzales, Louisiana; 2 grandchildren: Yancey and wife Jennifer of Farmington, Angela and husband Daniel Neck of Prairieville, Louisiana; 4 great-grandchildren: Joseph and James Stam, Sarah and Laura Neck; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and twin brothers in infancy.

Elsa passed away Sunday morning, July 27, 2008, at Infinia Care Center in Owatonna at the age of 95.

Funeral services will be 7PM Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield with Rev. John E. Quam officiating. Interment will be in Solor Lutheran Cemetery at Webster. Visitation will begin at 5PM on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.