Death Notice: Elaine Mehlhaff

Elaine Mehlhaff, formerly of Freeman, S.D., passed away on Saturday, June 28 at Woodland Terrace Senior Living, Bridgman, Mich. A funeral service was held Monday, July 7 at Bethany Mennonite Church of Freeman, with burial at Frieden’s Reformed Cemetery, Tripp S.D.

Elaine Idella Mehlhaff was born Sept. 16, 1930 near Tripp to Edward L. and Linda (Lippert) Dewald. She was baptized in the Reformed faith on Nov. 2, 1930 be Rev. K.J. Stuebbe and was confirmed on April 1, 1945 by Rev. Walter E. Odenbach. She graduated from Maxon School near Tripp.  She was a member of Immanuel Reformed Church near Tripp until May, 1969 when she became a member of Bethany Mennonite Church in Freeman. Elaine married Herbert Mehlhaff on Nov. 16, 1953. They were blessed with two children, Judy Kay and Larry Lee. They were able to share almost 40 years of marriage before Herb passed away on July 21, 1993.

Elaine worked as a salesclerk at Ben Franklin and Wollman Pharmacy in Freeman and did bookkeeping at Freeman Farmers Elevator. After her retirement she enjoyed doing volunteer work at the Bethany Church Preschool, Et Cetera Shoppe, Freeman Library and Freeman Hospital. She loved doing many types of needlework, listening to polka music, cooking, baking, trying new recipes and most things chocolate. Her family meant the world to her and her grandsons and great-grandchildren were an especially great source of joy.

Survivors who cherish her memory include her daughter, Judy (Roger) Bertsch of Stevensville, Mich.; daughter-in-law Marion Klaus of Park City, Utah; two grandsons, Christopher (Annie) Bertsch of Park Ridge, Ill., and Cory (Martha) Bertsch of St. Joseph, Mich.; and four great-grandchildren: Jameson Bertsch, Gianna Bertsch, Arabella Bertsch and Michael Bertsch. She was preceded in death by her husband Herbert, her son Larry, her brother Maynard Dewald and her parents.