Linda Elbers

Linda Marie Elbers passed away surrounded by her family on June 6, 2026. She was born July 24, 1955, to Vernon and Pearl (Linge) Nelson in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She grew up on a farm near Hartford, SD, attended Tri-Valley schools before later graduating from Sioux Falls Washington High School in 1973. One of her earliest memories was riding a train with her mom to California to see family, which included a trip into Mexico. She would spend time each summer with her great aunts, who would take her to the nursing home where she would sing to the residents.

She started bussing tables at a young age in restaurants where her mother worked. She spent her teenage years waitressing, often alongside her mother at various restaurants in Sioux Falls. She married the love of her life, Marlin Elbers, on November 19, 1977, at Benton Lutheran Church near Crooks, South Dakota. They made their home in Steen, MN, where they remained their entire married life. They were blessed with four children, Kristi, Stacy, Jeremy and Sonya. Her family was her pride and joy, making sure she planned a family vacation together each year. She enjoyed attending the grandchildren's many activities, as well as entertaining them at home. Of course, every visit had to include "grandma's" cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

In 1982, she began employment with the Exchange State Bank of Hills where she stayed for 18 years. She then began work for Lachlan Bonander Law Office in Larchwood, IA where she stayed until her retirement in 2021. Linda was a faithful member of the Reformed Church of Steen where she taught Sunday school, VBS, served in the kitchen, and helped in countless ways behind the scenes. She loved music, singing in the choir, praise team, solos, and women's trios. She loved reading books, doing cross-stitch, going for walks, motorcycle rides, puzzles, and playing any kind of card game with friends and family. She always said the Nelson girls cut their teeth playing cards. Her faith and determination carried her through many obstacles in her life, making her stronger along the way. She loved unconditionally and was loved by many.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 48 years Marlin Elbers of Steen, MN; her children Kristi (Daniel) DeGroff, Broomfield, CO, Stacy (TJ) Schmidtke, Wells MN, Jeremy (Cassandra) Elbers, Crystal, MN, Sonya (Casey) Kane, Colorado Springs, CO; her loving grandchildren Hannah, Malachi, Luke and Jude DeGroff; Koby Nagel, Ella and Gibson Schmidtke; and Blair and Collin Kane; her sisters, Janet Zoss and Kathy Eisenberg of Sioux Falls, SD; her in-laws, Glenda (Jim)Consoer, Randy (Shawn) Elbers, Rhonda (Larry) Smith, Ann (Gary) Flemmer (widow of late brother-in-law Bruce Elbers), Mike (Barb) Elbers, and Shelley (Jim) Kivimaki; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Pearl Nelson; her in-laws, George and Anna Elbers; and her brother-in-law Bruce Elbers.