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Elaine A. Alsleben Obituary – 10/10/2015


Elaine Alice (Tonn) Alsleben, age 88, of Glencoe, formerly of Lester Prairie, died Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at Glencoe Regional Health Services.

She was born July 12, 1927, in Bergen Township, Lester Prairie, the daughter of Ewald and Emma (Schuette) Tonn. Elaine was baptized as an infant July 24, 1927, by the Rev. J.A. Schert at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth June 9, 1940, by the Rev. G. Schmidt at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton.

Elaine received her education at the parochial school in Brownton.

She was united in marriage to Willard Alsleben Oct. 14, 1945, by the Rev. G. Schmidt at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton.

The couple made their home on a farm in rural Arlington from 1949 to 1981, where you would find Elaine working right beside her husband with the day-to-day farm chores.

Willard and Elaine’s marriage was blessed with four children, Larry, Wayne, Arlys, and Leon. They shared over 62 years of marriage before Willard passed away in December 2007.

Elaine was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe.

She enjoyed quilting, embroidery, cross stitch, dancing, playing harmonica, and cards. Perhaps Elaine’s greatest treasure was having all her children living nearby; the highlights of her days were when one of her children would stop in and she could show her love by coaxing them to eat a little something.

Elaine is survived by her children, Larry Alsleben and his wife, Diane, Wayne Alsleben and his wife, Janet, Arlys Gehlen and her husband, Bob, all of Glencoe, and Leon Alsleben and his wife, Diane, of Plato; grandchildren Tamra Rolf (Wade), Teresa Giesen (Andrew), Matthew Alsleben (Amber), Brian Alsleben (Michelle), Jason Alsleben, Josh Gehlen (Tamara), Nick Gehlen (fiancée Becky Kormanik), Ryan Goebel (Angela), Tony Alsleben (Anna), Beth Adams (Brandon), Tiffany Gordan (Albie), and Dawn Bergsholm (Curtis); and many great-grandchildren.

She is further survived by sisters-in-law Bernetta Alsleben, Janet Alsleben, both of Brownton, and Joan Alsleben of Glencoe; nephews, nieces, other relatives, and many friends.

In addition to her husband, Willard, Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Ewald and Emma Tonn; siblings, infant twins (girl and boy), Harold Tonn, Raymond Tonn, Clarence Tonn, and Evelyn Vollmer; father and mother-in-law, August and Alma Alsleben; brothers and sisters-in-law Edna and Ray Streseman, Mabel and George Gehrke, Marvin Alsleben, Willmer Alsleben, LaVerda Tonn, and Ed Vollmer.

Funeral services took place Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe. Interment was in the Glencoe City Cemetery.

There was visitation Tuesday Oct. 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe, and continued Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Arrangements were with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe.

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