Elva Bethke

Elva E. Bethke, age 92 of Redwood Falls, passed away Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Garnette Gardens in Redwood Falls. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2024 at Redwood Valley Funeral Home in Redwood Falls. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday. Interment will be in the Fort Snelling Cemetery in Minneapolis at a later date. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Elva E. Bethke was born December 9, 1931 to Edwin and Ellanora (Stresemann) Stuber in rural Winthrop, Penn Township, Minnesota. She was baptized at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Winthrop and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Winthrop. She graduated from Winthrop High School and continued her education at Gustavus Adolphus and Bethesda School of Nursing in St. Paul. Elva was then employed at Union Hospital in New Ulm. On June 21, 1952, Elva married the love of her life, Charles Bethke. Elva and Charles settled on a farm near Birch Coulee in Morton and were married for 63 years. To this union there were six children, ten grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren born. Years later the couple retired to Redwood Falls. Elva was a nurse at Redwood Area Hospital for 34 years. The couple enjoyed dancing and traveling in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Elva was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, where she was involved with Altar Guild. She was also a member of the Redwood VFW auxiliary. Elva loved music, concerts, gardening, canning, and baking. Most of all she loved entertaining and spending time with family and friends.

Elva is survived by her children: Larry (Dana) of Phoenix, AZ; James of Redwood Falls, Marcia (Randy) Maland of Redwood Falls; Charlotte (James) Dixon of Eloy, AZ, and Amy (Brian) Pendleton of Redwood Falls; daughter-in-law Linda Bethke of St. Paul; grandchildren: Christine (Sam) Hunter, Danielle (Skylar) Schulz, Erin Bethke, Kate (Ryan) James, Beth (Jason) Babey, Jimmy Dixon, Katie Dixon, Gunnar Dixon, Tyler (Mariah) Pendleton, and Zak (Tianna) Pendleton; 18 great grandchildren; brother Steven (Patricia) Stuber; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles, son Greg, and brothers Norville (Donna) and LeRoy.