Ruth Elsbernd

Wednesday, July 6, 2016 4:08 pm

Ruth Elsbernd, 91, of Calmar, died Monday, July 4, 2016, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 7, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, with Rev. Robert Gross, Rev. Donald Hawes and Deacon Andrew Marr. Lectors are Jennifer Cole and Kristin Tesch. Gift bearers are Lisa Meyer, Melissa Elsbernd and Kristin Tesch. Organists are Brandi Hemesath and Michael Elsbernd. Soloists are Michael and Nichole Colsch Elsbernd, and Ethan and Abigail Elsbernd (“You are Mine”). Hymns performed by the  St. Aloysius Choir are “Here I am, Lord,” “Amazing Grace,” “On this Day, O Beautiful Mother” and “How Great Thou Art.” Casket bearers are John Cole, Andrew Cole, Richard Elsbernd, Michael Elsbernd, David Elsbernd, Scott Meyer, Brett Peterson, Cale Tesch and Jason Van Pelt. Interment is at St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery, Calmar. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel, Calmar.

Ruth Kathryn (Uhlenhake) Elsbernd was born 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 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; Jim (Margaret) Elsbernd, Ossian; Keith (Sandra) Elsbernd, Calmar; Eileen (John) Schissel, Fertile; and Joyce (Kevin) Meyer, Spillville; 10 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; 16 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 and Shirley Schmitt, Ossian; one sister-in-law, Kathryn Uhlenhake, Ossian, one brother-in-law, Cletus Elsbernd, Ossian; 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.