Elmer Roenfeld
October 14, 2006

Elmer Harry Roenfeld was born September 19, 1923, to Ella S. (Schoening) and William F. Roenfeld. The youngest of five children, he grew up on the family farm located south of Mineola, IA. Elmer was baptized, confirmed, and a life-long member of St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola. Following his attendance at Vogler School in Mineola, he continued to farm with his family.
On August 28, 1948, Elmer was united in marriage to Helen Eileen Olsen at First Christian Church in Council Bluffs, IA. He and Eileen made their home in Mineola and Elmer continued to farm with his family. During their marriage, they were blessed with a daughter, Janice Anne, and son, Kirby Lynn.
On February 12, 1960, Elmer began his 30 years of employment at John Deere & Company located in Omaha, NE, while continuing to work on the family farm with his son Kirby and brother Clarence. Elmer was a charter member of the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department. He belonged to the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben and for many years he and Eileen gathered with dear friends monthly for card club.
Elmer's greatest joys came from his family. Farming, helping others, visiting with his many friends, and gardening also brought much happiness to his life. He took particular pride in growing tomatoes and pumpkins. Elmer's other interests included repairing watches and clocks, dancing, polka music, the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team, and a passion for good food. Prime rib, popcorn, and black diamond watermelon were among his favorites.
On October 13, 2006, while tending to his garden on the family farm, Elmer suffered a stroke. The next morning, he passed away at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, at the age of 83 years and 25 days. In addition to his parents and wife Eileen, Elmer was preceded in death by his sister, Emma Roenfeld; brothers Lee Roenfeld and Clarence Roenfeld.
Surviving Elmer, is his daughter, Janice Teegarden and Wayne Ogle, of Omaha, NE; son and daughter-in-law, Kirby and Sharon Roenfeld of Mineola; three grandchildren, Troy Teegarden and Beth Teegarden both of Omaha, and Kari Alexander and husband, Patrick, of Oklahoma City, OK; three great grandchildren, Braden Teegarden of Genoa, NE, and Katherine and Jacob Alexander of Oklahoma City; goddaughter, Vanessa (Roenfeld) Martin of Fontanelle, IA; sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Wallace Hansen of Glenwood, IA; sisters-in-law, Geraldine "Gerry" Haynie of Papillion, NE, and Ethel Olsen of Council Bluffs, IA; brother-in-law, Ivan Olsen, of Omaha, NE, and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and many friends.

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