Livingston, WI- Elna “Tootie” L. Lundell, age 87 went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wed. July 16, 2014.
Elna was born on March 8, 1927 at home in Marcus, IA the daughter of Christian & Agnes (Anderson) Nielsen, immigrants from Denmark. She was united in marriage to Howard Bert Lundell on July 5, 1946 in Marcus, IA.
They moved from northwest Iowa to a farm in Livingston in the summer of 1968. Elna worked at U.W. Platteville as a textbook librarian for 25 years. Elna became a believer in Jesus Christ at the young age of 11 while attending the Danish Lutheran Church in Marcus, IA. She always looked for ways to serve her Lord. After moving to Wisconsin she became a member of the Livingston United Methodist Church. Believing in the importance of the church, she served it faithfully throughout her life. She was Administrative Council Chair for many years, and served as president of UMW for 10 years. She taught Sunday school throughout her entire married life. She also helped with Vacation Bible School and opened up her home to a weekly small group Bible study.
Elna’s gift truly was hospitality. Whether family or friend, she loved having people in her home. Nothing pleased her more than to serve a hot cup of coffee and a slice of her famous homemade rye bread. Good food, games and a good laugh were important ingredients for every Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Elna also hosted the annual Christmas cookie marathon. The Lundell women baked tons of Christmas cookies and candy that were divided up in ice cream buckets between daughters, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren who shared them with friends and neighbors.
Elna is survived by her five children; John (Karen) Lundell of Dodgeville, Dennis (Debra) Lundell of Livingston, Linda (Ronald) Hulst of Cassville, Marilyn Larson of Manhattan, KS, and Brian (Kathleen Chip) Lundell of Dodgeville, 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, a sister Vera (Donald) Wiese of Larrabee, IA, and several special nieces and nephews.
Elna was preceded in death by her parents, husband Howard on March 15, 1997, son-in-law Brian Larson, five sisters, and two brothers.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Mon. July 21, 2014 at the Livingston United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the Rock Church Cemetery in rural Livingston. Friends may call from 9:00 A.M. until time of service at the church on Monday morning.