In Memory of Elsa K. Diersen

Elsa K. Diersen, age 95, of Kiron, Iowa, died Thursday, April 11, 2013, at Twilight Acres in Wall Lake, Iowa.
            Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 15, 2013, at the United Methodist Church in Odebolt, Iowa, under the direction of Christensen-Huffman Funeral Homes.  The Reverend DeeAnn Klapp will officiate, with burial to follow in the Odebolt Cemetery.  Visitation with the family present will be held on Sunday from 4-7 p.m. at Christensen-Huffman Funeral Home in Odebolt.  
            Born February 18, 1918, near Boyer, Iowa, Elsa Katharina Anderson was the daughter of Paul and Esther (Frey) Anderson.  She graduated from Odebolt High School in 1936, then earned her Normal teaching certificate.  Elsa taught in rural schools until her marriage to Earl Herman Diersen on September 6, 1940, in Wall Lake, Iowa.
            The couple made their home with Earl’s parents for a time, farmed near Schaller, then purchased their home farm near Kiron in 1944.  Here they raised their family of four children, Janet, Alice, Gene, and Don.
            A true farmer’s wife, Elsa worked alongside her husband and participated in every aspect of farming, proving herself to be an invaluable helpmate.  She was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Odebolt where she taught Sunday school for decades and also helped teach confirmation classes.  She will be remembered for her thoughtfulness, always writing cards and letters to family and friends.
            Elsa enjoyed fishing, especially with her grandchildren, taking family vacations, and playing cards with the Friendly Farmers Pinochle Club.  In later years, she and Earl made countless woven rag rugs on their loom.
            Survivors include four children, Janet Christiansen of Fonda (and friend Jim Pemble), Alice (Jerrold) Jimmerson of Manson, Gene (Sheryl) Diersen of Odebolt, and Don Diersen (special friend Kathy Pope) of Kiron; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; a sister, Irene Olson of Odebolt; two sisters-in-law, Loretta Anderson of Boyer, and Marie Diersen of Schaller; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
            She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Earl on April 12, 2008; a brother, Roscoe Anderson; a son-in-law, Richard Christiansen; and two brothers-in-law, Lake Olson and Kenneth Diersen.