Elaine Mehlhaff

Elaine Mehlhaff, formerly of Freeman, passed away on Saturday, June 28th at Woodland Terrace Senior Living, Bridgman MI.  Funeral services will be 11AM on Monday, July 7th at Bethany Mennonite Church of Freeman, SD. Visitation will be from 10AM to 11AM on July 7th at the church . Burial will be at Frieden's Reformed Cemetery, Tripp SD.  

Link to stream the Funeral Service: https://www.youtube.com/live/9ceyiImUxcs                                                                                                     

Elaine Idella Mehlhaff was born September 16,1930 near Tripp, SD to Edward L. and Linda (Lippert) Dewald.  She was baptized in the Reformed faith on November 2, 1930 be Rev. K.J. Stuebbe and was confirmed on April 1, 1945 by Rev. Walter E. Odenbach.  She graduated from Maxon School near Tripp, SD.   She was a member of Immanuel Reformed Church near Tripp, SD until May,1969 when she became a member  of Bethany Mennonite Church in Freeman, SD. Elaine married Herbert Mehlhaff on November 16, 1953.  They were blessed with 2 children, Judy Kay and Larry Lee.  They were able to share almost 40 years of marriage before Herb passed away on July 21, 1993.

Elaine worked as a salesclerk at Ben Franklin and Wollman Pharmacy in Freeman and did bookkeeping at Freeman Farmers Elevator.  After her retirement she enjoyed doing volunteer work at the Bethany Church Preschool, Etcetera Shop, Freeman Library and Freeman Hospital.  She loved doing many types of needlework, listening to polka music, cooking, baking, trying new recipes and most things chocolate. Her family meant the world to her and her grandsons and great-grandchildren were an especially great source of joy.

Survivors who cherish her memory include her daughter Judy (Roger) Bertsch of Stevensville MI; daughter-iin-law Marion Klaus of Park City, UT; two grandsons, Christopher (Annie) Bertsch of Park Ridge, IL and Cory (Martha) Bertsch of St. Joseph, MI and four great-grandchildren, Jameson Bertsch, Gianna Bertsch, Arabella Bertsch and Michael Bertsch.  She was preceded in death by her husband Herbert, her son Larry, her brother Maynard Dewald and her parents.