Elsie L. Thielvoldt

Alvord, IA: Elsie L. Thielvoldt, 98, of Alvord, Iowa, died Monday, November 20, 2023, at Whispering Heights of Rock Valley, Iowa. A funeral service will be held Monday, November 27, at 10:30 AM at Faith Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Pastor Mike Molenaar and Chris Van Beek officiating. The service can be livestreamed at https://faithrv.com/. After the service a luncheon will be held at the church followed by burial at the Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery of Alvord. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Sunday, November 26, from 3:00-5:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley.

   Elsie Leny Thielvoldt was born April 15, 1925, to Henry and Anna (Gelderman) Ranschau in Rock Valley, Iowa. She graduated from Rock Valley High School in 1943. She attended the summer session at Le Mars College and taught school in Lyon County.

   On December 14, 1946, Elsie married Glen Thielvoldt at Peace Lutheran Church in rural Sioux Center. They moved north-east of Alvord, Iowa where they farmed for many years. Glen passed away on September 27, 1989. Elsie later moved into town in Alvord where she lived until needing hospice care for the last two weeks of her life.

   Elsie was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Alvord. She was active in circle and taught Sunday school for many years as well as serving on the church council as secretary.

   She enjoyed sewing, crafts, Hardanger embroidery, and traveling with family and friends. She loved playing cards and tile rummy and occasionally would let us win. She also enjoyed hosting “Nana’s Day” every Saturday morning at her house for her children and grandchildren.

   Elsie died Monday, November 20, 2023, at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley. She is survived by three sons, Dennis (Irene) of Alvord, Dean of Dickinson, Texas, and Alan (Sandie) of Rock Valley; one daughter, Jean (Paul) Schlotfeldt of Alvord; eight grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; two sisters, Rose Grossenburg of Winner, South Dakota and Elaine (Jim) Luce of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and sister-in-law, Mae Ranschau of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

   She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen; her parents, Henry and Anna; six brothers, Ted (Irene) Ranschau, Henry (Helen) Ranschau, Frank (Virginia) Ranschau, Carl (Nora) Ranschau, Rich (Jane) Ranschau and Marvin Ranschau; three sisters, Ann (Lee) Hass, Martha (Albert) Baatz and Lillian (John) Rielly; daughter-in-law, Diva Thielvoldt; great grandson, Ethan Schacht; brother-in-law, Rodney Grossenburg; and sister-in-law, Helen (Ed) Hein.