Elsie Stroschein

Elsie Ella Amanda Stroschein, 92, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls.

She was born December 11, 1920, in Elizabeth, Minnesota, the daughter of German immigrants Hermann and Louise (Helle) Boeder. She attended country school in Friberg Township. As a very young woman she worked as a housekeeper for the Guy and Ina Olson family.

On June 29, 1941, she married Herbert Stroschein at the First Evangelical and Reformed Church. They resided in Elizabeth Township where they farmed and raised their six children. After they moved from the farm in 1968, they lived on Long Lake where they enjoyed fishing and tending their enormous vegetable and flower gardens. Over the years Elsie worked at the Log Cabin Restaurant in Fergus Falls briefly, and then as an LPN at the Fergus Falls State Hospital from the 1960’s for approximately 30 years. She lovingly cared for Herbert at home during the several years he had Parkinson’s Disease, until his death in 1993. After Herbert died, Elsie lived in Fergus Falls for 17 years on Springen Avenue, and then Riverview Heights and Park Gardens, and had a brief stay at the Broen Home.

Elsie was known for her flower gardens and instilled in all her children a love and passion for growing plants. She was an accomplished seamstress, quilter, and gardener. She loved playing card games, always learning new games. She was a great planner of activities, and her grandchildren will lovingly remember her for the many raucous card, bunco, and other games that she frequently organized. They have many fond memories of eating fresh garden produce and wonderful baked goods, and fishing and playing by the lake. Elsie had a way of making each of her 17 grandchildren feel special.

Elsie was central in keeping the large family unit of children and grandchildren connected. She will be dearly missed.

She was a longtime member of the United Church of Christ in Fergus Falls.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Herbert; siblings, Frieda Lother, August Boeder, Mary Wahl, Bertha Luebke, Lena Rocholl, three brothers who died in infancy; and sons-in-law, Joseph Wersinger and John Sanchez.

Survivors include her children: Betty (David) Peterson of Coon Rapids MN, Doris Wersinger of Cyrus MN, Marilyn (Donovan) Folden of Pelican Rapids, LaVonne (Gary) Johansen of Holmen WI, Arnold (Karol) Stroschein of Loveland CO, and Joyce (Mitchell) Duenow of Fargo ND; 17 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials are preferred to First United Church of Christ in Fergus Falls.
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2013, at First United Church of Christ in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Tom Gard
Interment: First United Church of Christ Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota is in charge of the arrangements.