Monday, May 18, 2020 2:54 pm
Darlene Elsbernd, 83, died Thursday, April 30, 2020, at her home in Calmar. A private family burial was May 5, 2020. A memorial mass and celebration of life will be held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar after the restrictions from COVID-19 are lifted.
Darlene was born Dec. 16, 1936, to Edward and Agnes Langreck in West Union. She grew up on the family farm with three younger brothers: LaVern, Jerry and Billy. She attended grade school in St Lucas and graduated from St. Luke’s High School in St. Lucas in 1954.
She was united in marriage with Paul Elsbernd Aug. 28, 1957, in St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. They settled on a farm outside of Calmar where they raised nine children. They were members of Our Lady of Seven Dolors Church in Festina. After Paul passed away in 1997, Darlene remained on the family farm until moving to Calmar in 2005 with her daughter Geri. They then became members of St. Aloysius Church in Calmar. Darlene and Geri cared for Darlene’s mother, Agnes, for five years before her passing and became involved in the Celiac Sprue group, where they made many friends. Darlene enjoyed seeing people, gardening and flowers. She canned and froze hundreds of jars and freezer boxes of food over the years. Her grandchildren particularly loved her strawberry jam. Darlene was known in her family for being lucky at winning raffles, way outdoing the curve. Darlene especially loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She played countless games of cards with them, hosted many pizza parties and holidays, and passed down many treasured family recipes, including liverwurst. She was a gentle and giving soul and will be greatly missed by her family, which includes 23 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.
Darlene is survived by daughter, Jeannie (Don) Boyer and children: Matt (Liz) Boyer, Sydney, Cadence and Quinn; Joey (Monica) Boyer, Adalynn, Claire and Alaina; Jessica (Matt) Phillips and Morgan; and Christine (Jordan) Mitchell; son, Don (Trish) Elsbernd and children: Liz (Ryan) Kruse, Carver, Kai and Baby number three on the way; Eric (Sarah) Elsbernd, Graham, Lauren and Baby number three on the way; Stephanie (Josh) Williams; daughter, Geri Elsbernd; son, Terry (Jane) Elsbernd and children: David (Kelly) Farley, Nick, Kaylie and Alex; Amanda; Jeremy (Rachel) Elsbernd, Annabelle and Mackenzie; son, Joe (Kathy) Elsbernd and children: Dylan, Bryce and Colton; son, Randy (Becky) Elsbernd and children: Nathan, Britta and Markus; son, Dean Elsbernd and children: Katelyn (Austin Reicks), Justin and Ashlyn; son, Arlyn Elsbernd; daughter, Sherri (Jason) Carolan and children: Cassidy, Emily, Cody and Andy.
She also is survived by her brothers, Jerry (Diane) Langreck and Billy (Kathy) Langreck; sisters- and brothers-in-law: Joyce Langreck, Evelyn Elsbernd, Joe and Agnes Hackman, Anna Mae Kuhn, Sr. Helen Elsbernd, Clare Faas, Denis and Jackie Elsbernd, Larry Schissel, Sr. Rose Elsbernd, Ray and Donna Elsbernd; and many nieces and nephews.
Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Elsbernd, in 1997; parents, Edward and Agnes (Brincks) Langreck; mother- and father-in-law, Alois and Loretta (Kuennen) Elsbernd; brother, LaVern Langreck; and brothers- and sisters-in-law: Lawrence Elsbernd, Ray Kuhn, Jerry and Joann Elsbernd, Rev. Elmer Elsbernd, Dick Faas and Kathy Schissel.
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