Elaine Helen (Zech) Workman was born June 13, 1922, the daughter of John and Julia Elizabeth (Vogel) Zech in Howard Lake, Minn.
She was baptized July 8, 1922 by Reverend A.L. Oetjen and confirmed April 14, 1935 by Reverend C.G. Seltz. On September 28, 1941, Elaine was united in marriage to Donald Guan Workman by Reverend Eugene N. Seltz. Their 55 year union was blessed.
Elaine teased by saying she had “four and a half dozen” children. Many people were amazed until they caught on to her joke i.e.: 4+6=10 children. They lived on a farm south of Howard Lake in Victor Township.
Following Donald’s death in 1996, Elaine continued to live on the farm because of the care of her family, especially her son Daniel August.
Elaine worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years, initially serving as a substitute rural mail carrier and finally as a post office clerk. In addition Elaine worked as a farmwife, mother of ten, and homemaker.
Elaine had many hobbies including quilting, knitting and sewing and enjoyed sports like swimming, bowling, ice skating and fishing. She was a passionate Scrabble player and a life-long card player. Elaine loved to read, garden and preserve her garden produce.
Elaine was called to her eternal rest August 1, 2004 at the age of 82 years, one month and 19 days after a brief illness.
She was preceded in death by her husband Donald; parents, John and Julia Elizabeth Zech; and her siblings Luther, George, Willie, Richard, Eva Diers and Leah Luhman.
Elaine is survived by her ten children and their spouses, Judith (Workman) and BJ Segel of Oxnard, California; James and Rosemarie (Engelman) of Maple Lake; Joyce (Workman) Mithuen of Plymouth; Richard and Kathrine (Hohag) of Delano; Robert and Deborah (Fern) of Howard Lake; Daniel of Howard Lake; David and Betty (Mahlstedt) of Cokato; Patrick and Shari (Torgerson) of South Haven; Timothy “Pete” and Barbara (Cafferty) of South Have; and Pamela of Annandale.
Eighteen grandchildren and their spouses, Jeffrey Workman of Maple Lake; Eric and Emily (Kersten) of Foley; Sarah (Workman) and Joe Hamann of Buffalo; John Mithuen of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Joseph Mithuen of St. Michael; John Workman of Minneapolis; Luther and Holly (Hissam) Workman of Montrose; Jacob Workman of Minneapolis; Leigha, William and Alexander Workman of Howard Lake; Nicholas and Julie (Foster) Workman of Cokato; Ernest, Danielle and Benjamin Workman of South Haven; Lori (Workman) and Jason Foster of South Haven; Peter and Anthony Jerome” AJ” Workman of South Haven.
Eight great-grandchildren, Alayna and Kianna Hamann of Buffalo; Eli Workman of Foley; Jacob and Joshua Mithuen of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Taylor Joseph “TJ” and Jessica Workman of Cokato; and Lukas Foster of Fair Haven.
She is further survived by sister-in-law, Dorothy (Workman) and husband Don Mitchell of Howard Lake.
Services took place August 6, 2004 at St. James Lutheran Church with the Reverands Martin Schoenfeld and Michael Nirva officiating. The organist was Mrs. Nancy Butterfass.
A lunch was served by the St. James funeral committee and catered by Gary Lies of Annandale. A private interment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. James Lutheran School Library, 1000 7th Ave., PO Box 680, Howard Lake, MN 55349 or the Arthritis Foundation, 1902 Minnehaha Ave. W., St. Paul, MN 55104.
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