Elvira Batzlaff

Elvira Freida Clara Batzlaff, 93, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, July 8, 2010, at the Pioneer Retirement Community in Fergus Falls. She was born September 5, 1916, in Dotson, Minnesota, near Springfield, the daughter of Wensel and Minnie (Tordson) Wersal.   She grew up in rural Dotson, where she attended country school. On March 14, 1937, she married Walter Batzlaff in Detroit, Michigan. The couple moved to Elbow Lake in 1942, where they farmed in Stony Brook Township. In 1968 they moved to Fergus Falls. Elvira worked at Rosenblatt’s, and as a CNA at the Broen Home. She was a Foster Grandparent for 25 years. Elvira was a member of Rock Prairie Lutheran Church. She enjoyed gardening, fishing, baking, and crocheting, and was an avid card player. Preceding her in death were her husband, Walter, in January of 1981, four brothers, Henry, Arthur, Marvin and Melvin, and her parents. Survivors include three children: Darlene (Melvin) Manock of Fairmount, ND, Robert (Karen) Batzlaff of Fergus Falls, and Ruth Merz (fiancé Bing Leo) of Show Low, AZ; 12 grandchildren: Cheryl (Mark) Gebhart of Becker, MN, LuAnn (Mark) DeMartelaere of Fergus Falls, Lonna (Robbie) Olson of Hawley, Joyce (John) Hajostek of Moorhead, Deanna (Jason) Marchus of Wolford, ND, Melissa (Jeffery) Slaubaugh of Wolford, ND, Lisa Jo (Tim) Green of West Fargo, ND, Jessica (Kyle) Steidl of Souris, ND, Jason (Samantha) Batzlaff of Fergus Falls, Laura Eidsvold (fiancé Terry Penner) of Moorhead, MN, Wayne (Sheila) Merz of Rothsay, and Danny Merz of Lafayette, LA; 20 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, two step-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren, one step-great-great-grandchild, several nieces and nephews and other relatives.  Memorials are preferred to the Pioneer Home Building Fund. Visitation:   11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 13, 2010, at the Pioneer Home, and continues from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Service:  1 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Clergy:    Chaplain Harry Olson Interment:   Oak Grove Cemetery in Fergus Falls