Ellein O. Flanders

Ellein O. Flanders, age 106, of Litchfield, MN, died on Friday March 21, 2014 at the Ecumen Emmanuel Home in Litchfield, MN. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on April 4, 2014 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Grove City, MN with a visitation one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be held in Lake Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield, MN. Ellein Olga Flanders, the daughter of Olaf and Ida (Newman) Driste, was born on May 11, 1907 in Harvey Township, Meeker County, Minnesota. She was baptized in the name of the Triune God in July 1907 in the Grove City Lutheran Church. Her family moved to Litchfield in the fall of 1910 and became members of the First Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Ellein confirmed her baptismal faith on May 22, 1922 in the First Lutheran Church under the teaching of Dr. Rast. She attended schools in Litchfield and the St. Cloud Teachers College. On August 30, 1930, she was united in marriage to Vernon Flanders. To this union two daughters were born. Vernon passed away on May 29, 1980. Ellein taught for 28 1/2 years, in rural schools and in the Eden Valley Public School. After she retired she volunteered for the Augustana Lutheran Homes for over 30 years, mostly mending, sewing bibs and visiting. Ellein served on the School Board of old District 75, and was a member of the Meeker County Historical Society and the Retired Educators Association of Minnesota. She taught Sunday School for several years and enjoyed making crafts, quilting, and playing bingo and dominos. Ellein is survived by her daughters, Betty Thomsen of Atwater, MN and Joan (and Russell) Schmidt of Paynesville, MN; 5 grandchildren Nancy (and Tom) Deadrick of New London, MN, Dennis (and Marie) Thomsen of Shakopee, MN, Deb (and Oluf) Johnson of Paynesville, MN, Charles Schmidt of Paynesville, MN and Richard (and Kathy) Schmidt of New London, MN; 18 great grandchildren; 22 great great grandchildren; sister-in-law Viola Driste of Paynesville, MN and Marguerite Flanders of Grove City; former granddaughter-in-law Mary Ann Schmidt and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Olaf and Ida; her husband Vernon; sisters, Elsie Weisbrod, Matilda Harris and Mary Taylor; brothers, John, Bill, Alfred, Karl and Harry; grandson John; and son-in-law Gary.Previous Events Visitation Friday, April 4, 2014 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Trinity Lutheran Church 54384 Highway 12 East Grove City, MN 56243 Visitation Friday, April 4, 2014 11:00 AM Trinity Lutheran Church 54384 Highway 12 East Grove City, MN 56243