Lawrence Elsbernd

Lawrence Elsbernd, age 92 of Calmar, IA, died on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at Wellington Place in Decorah, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 9, 2020 at the St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 304 South Maryville Street, Calmar, IA, with Rev. Robert Gross presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00-6:00 p.m., on Sunday, March 8, 2020, at the St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 304 South Maryville Street, Calmar, IA. There will also be visitation after 9:30 a.m., at the church on Monday morning. The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Lawrence Joseph Elsbernd was born on September 11, 1927 the son of Alois and Loretta (Kuennen) Elsbernd on the family farm near Festina, IA. He attended St. Mary’s School through the eighth grade. He then started farming with his father and worked as a hired man for many local farmers. Lawrence married Evelyn Bodensteiner on August 1, 1951 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. Lawrence and Evelyn lived and worked on the farm until moving to Calmar in 1988. They were married for 68 years and blessed with 9 children. Lawrence was active and respected in the agricultural community, serving on numerous boards and receiving awards. He was a faith filled member of the St. Aloysius Catholic Church and devoted time to the Parish Council and Catholic Order of Foresters. Many an afternoon and evening were spent playing “500” with a strong fist slamming the winning card. He also enjoyed golfing, woodworking and family fishing vacations. His greatest joy was spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lawrence is survived by his wife Evelyn. Children: Floyd (Brenda) Elsbernd, Savannah, MO; Wanda (Ron) Barloon, Bella Vista, AR; Cheryl Frye, Decorah, IA; Duane (Sharon) Elsbernd, Calmar, IA; Cindy (Marty) Jestrab, Protivin, IA; Leon (Denise) Elsbernd, Calmar, IA; Lois (Dennis) Bohr, Decorah, IA; Neal (Rita) Elsbernd, Calmar, IA and Dan (Paige) Elsbernd, Charles City, IA. Grandchildren: Heather (Ryan) Schreck, Katie (Greg) Brown, Ben (Ashley) Elsbernd, Ronda (Jeff) Brooks, Jessica (Jay) Widmer, Sara Moellers, Dawn (Luke) Guthrie, Luke Elsbernd, Dustin Elsbernd, Erica Elsbernd, Jenna Elsbernd, Eric (Irene) Jestrab, Lisa (Jordan) Collins, Brian (Ashley) Jestrab, Lindsey (Jamie) Haas, Jake (Jena) Elsbernd, Danielle (Kevin) Rawson, Jaimie Elsbernd, Aaron (Lindsey) Bohr, Nicole (Ryan) Pierce, Adam (Chelsey) Bohr, Sami (Luke) Thornton, Matt (Theresa) Elsbernd, Connor Miller, Levi Miller and Alec Elsbernd. Great-grandchildren: Elliott, Tyler, Jackson, Parker, Judson, Drew, Kylie, Haley, Jace, Garret, Cadem, Tyce, Mila, Kyson, Krew, Ava, Sienna, Taelynn, Sawyer, Lincoln, Jackson, Marcas, Charlotte, Maddux, Ethan, Emma, Landry and Quinn. Siblings: Agnes (Joe) Hackman, Decorah, IA; Anna Mae Kuhn, Calmar, IA; Sr. Helen Elsbernd, FSPA, LaCrosse, WI; Sr. Rosie Elsbernd, FSPA, LaCrosse, WI; Clare Faas, West Salem, WI; Denis (Jackie) Elsbernd, Olathe, KS and Ray (Donna) Elsbernd, Calmar, IA. Brother and sisters-in-law: Marion Heying, Fayette, IA; Larry Schissel, Olathe, KS and Darlene Elsbernd, Calmar, IA along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Alois and Loretta (Kuennen) Elsbernd. Great grandson: Owen Schreck. Grandson-in-law: Aaron Lalk. Siblings: Paul Elsbernd, Fr. Elmer Elsbernd, Kathleen Schissel and Jerry (JoAnn) Elsbernd. Father and mother-in-law: Ben and Rose (Rausch) Bodensteiner. Brothers and sisters-in-law: Ray Kuhn, Dick Faas, Elizabeth (Ben) Schaufenbuel, Arnold (Ruth) Bodensteiner, Linus (Rita) Bodensteiner, Corina (Donald) Deeny, Alice (Louis) Einck, Dennis (Irene) Bodensteiner, Lorraine (Ken) Kuennen and Dennis Heying.