Elaine C Bontjes

Elaine Bontjes, age 96, a resident of Barnesville, Minnesota, died on Monday, March 12, 2012, at Clayco Care Center, Barnesville, Minnesota. Elaine Caroline Ernst was born July 30, 1915, in rural Sabin, Minnesota, to Arthur and Betty (Stender) Ernst. At the young age of 13, Elaine lost her mother and she took on the responsibility of the household as well as looking after her younger brothers and sisters including the baby of 6 months. On October 7, 1939, Elaine was united in marriage to George Bontjes. They lived in St. Paul, Minnesota for 3 years and then moved to the Sabin area where they farmed until 1950 when they moved to Barnesville. George preceded her in death in 1978. Elaine helped with the field work and she was a beautiful seamstress sewing draperies and window coverings for a profession. She enjoyed bowling and crocheting. She was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church and LWML, Barnesville. Elaine is survived by her children: Phyllis Mulari, Barnesville, Minnesota; Lloyd (Jean Ann) Bontjes, Bellefontaine, Ohio; Bonnie (Terry) Norman, Buchanan Dam, Texas; Bette (Ronald) Haug, Barnesville, Minnesota; Donald (Teresa) Bontjes, Spicer, Minnesota; Daniel (Shelley) Bontjes, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother and sisters: Ruth Carlsrud, Dorothy Charlton, Walter Ernst, Ardys Randall, Karen Prim; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, George; parents; 9 brothers; 4 sisters. Visitation: Wednesday, March 14, 2012, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a prayer service at 8:30 p.m. at Dobmeier Funeral Home, Barnesville, Minnesota. Visitation resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 11:00 a.m. " Thursday, March 15, 2012, at St. Johns Lutheran Church, Barnesville, Minnesota Burial: Barnesville City Cemetery