Larona Elbers

  Steen, MN     Larona J. Elbers age 76 of Steen, MN died July 20, 2016 at The Cottage of Hospice in Luverne, MN after a courageous battle with breast cancer.      Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 25th at The Reformed Church of Steen with Rev. Dan Kuik, officiating. Burial will follow in the Eastside Cemetery at Steen.      Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills.               Larona June Aukes was born June 28, 1940 (her paternal grandmother’s birthday) in Luverne, MN to Harvey and Alice (Dunn) Aukes. She married James Elbers on September 7, 1962 at the Steen Reformed Church and shared 47 ½ years of marriage until James’ death in March of 2010. Together they had two children, a son Todd and a daughter Tracy. As an infant she lived on a farm northeast of Luverne. At the age of 4, she moved to a farm north of Steen and later to another farm northwest of Steen. She attended District 61 until the 8th grade at which time the school was closed and consolidated with the Hills School District. She was active in choir, band, FHA, and the “Aukes Trio” singing with her two sisters at fairs, churches, and contests. Upon graduation from Hills High School she attended and graduated from Nettleton College in Sioux Falls, SD in Accounting. She then worked at the Blue Ribbon Hatchery in Hills, MN for two years. She went on to work at a law firm and finance company in Sioux Falls until the birth of her daughter. She then stayed at home and raised her children for eight years. Upon reentering the workforce she worked at A.R. Wood Manufacturing in Luverne until they closed. She returned to Sioux Falls and worked at Western Surety Company (CNA Surety) for 27 years in the Claim and Accounting departments until retiring in March of 2012. She was baptized, confirmed, and a member of the Steen Evangelical United Brethren Church of Steen, MN where she sang in the choir, sand with her sisters, played flute solos, taught Sunday school and was the church treasurer. When the church closed in 1968, she became a member of the State Line Presbyterian Church in rural Ellsworth, MN. When that church closed, she joined the American Reformed Church in Luverne and then the Steen Reformed Church where she was a member until her death.      She enjoyed gardening, especially flowers. Her lily garden was her pride and joy. She also enjoyed looming, music, fishing, spending time at the lake home and with her grandchildren.             She is survived by her children, Todd (Diane) Elbers of Luverne, MN and Tracy (Lincoln) Ferguson of Heron Lake, MN. Three grandchildren, Joshua VanVeldhuizen, Jaidyn Elbers, and Jesse Elbers and one great grandchild Azalea VanVeldhuizen all of Luverne. Two sisters, Martha Bertelsen of Chadron, NE and Harriet (Dennis) Manning of Des Moines, IA. Her in-laws, Marlene Aukes of Steen, MN, Wilma Elbers of Luverne, MN, Arlene (James) Church of Chanhassen, MN, Marvin (Jean) Elbers of Brandon, SD, Carol (Marion) Van Bemmel of Luverne, MN, Beverly (Gary) Siebring of George, IA, Doreen Schuck of Sibley, IA, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.        Larona was preceded in death by her husband, James, her parents, Harvey and Alice Aukes, brother, Harley Aukes, brother-in-law Gary Bertelsen, and nephew, Brian Manning.