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IVA JEAN ELBERS was born to Fred and Jennie (Bergman) Wessels on November 23, 1938, on a farm near Hardwick, MN. The family later moved to a farm near Ash Creek, MN, where she spent much of her childhood helping with chores, hanging out with her siblings, and playing in the barn or at the nearby Rock River. She was a self-described “tomboy” who always preferred the outdoors to being in the house. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1956 and married Edwin Elbers on September 9, 1960, at State Line Presbyterian Church. They made their home initially in Sacramento, CA, while Ed was in the Air Force, then returned to Rock County in 1962. They lived in the towns of Steen, Hills, and Luverne during their marriage. They also had three children and five grandchildren.
Iva was known for her kind nature, her ready smile, her artistic talents, and her love for crafting and decorating. She was also known for her sense of humor and had no problem laughing at herself, which was one of her most endearing traits! She battled for 35 years against the effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis and for many years with dementia, yet she retained her sunny nature and could often be heard humming as she worked on household chores or on one of her latest craft projects. When she needed additional care, she moved to the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, where the staff there also loved her and gave her outstanding care.
She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, who created a warm and caring home filled with wonderful memories, usually accompanied by the scents of tea or coffee and a freshly baked treat. She also dearly loved her extended family, including brothers and sisters, in-laws, and many nieces and nephews and their families. The family reunions and holiday gatherings were always a wonder to behold, and she enjoyed them to the fullest!
On Tuesday, March 8, 2022, Iva died peacefully with her husband by her side at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne at the age of 83 eyars, 3 months and 15 days. She is survived by her husband Edwin, three children and their spouses, Deb (Jim) Garvin, Jeff (Linda) Elbers, and Joel (Jill) Elbers, and five grandchildren, Dan (Lauren) Garvin, Kaitlyn Garvin, Jenna Elbers, Joe Elbers, and Breanna Elbers. She is also survived by her siblings, Norman Wessels, Enore Boelman, Lowell Wessels, Harold Wessels, Doug Wessels, and David Wessels along with her sisters-in law, Gert Wessels, Theresa Wessels, Bev Wessels, Nelvina Kroese, Betty (Harold) Babbitt, and Ruth Verbrugge and brothers-in-law, Don Schouwenburg and Vern Verbrugge, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins along with their families. She was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, Fred and Jennie Wessels, her father and mother-in-law Ed and Verna Elbers, brothers, Stan Wessels, Darrel Wessels, and Dale Wessels, sisters, Vernice Wessels and Phyllis Schouwenburg, sisters-in-law, Joyce Wessels, Jolene Wessels, Sharon Wessels, and Ginny Wessels, brothers-in-law, Edwin Boelman, Chuck Kroese, and Wilmer Elbers, nephews, Mike Wessels and Brian Boelman, and niece, Tina Martinez, great-nephew, Andy Wessels, and great-great niece, Lucy Sailor, aunts and uncles, and many other relatives and friends.
We would like to thank all of Iva’s family and friends who came to pay their respects and celebrate her life with us. We were truly blessed to have her in our lives! Many thanks go out to the wonderful staff at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, the staff at the Luverne Hospice Cottage, and all of the many medical providers who helped her in the course of her illness. Additional thanks to Pastor Dan Leininger, First Presbyterian Church, and the caring staff at Hartquist Funeral Home.
“God shall wipe all tears from our eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21: 4
Friday, March 11, 2022
4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Hartquist Funeral Chapel
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)
First Presbyterian Church - Luverne
Visits: 58
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