Elsie Veit

FUNERAL SERVICES : Private family services at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 17, 2011 with Reverend Steven Bruer officiating.INTERMENT : Oak Grove Cemetery, Brainerd, MNSURVIVORS : Her daughter, Elaine Veit of Menahga, MN. ELSIE VEITAugust 16, 1904 ~ May 11, 2011 Elsie Ellenora Veit died Wednesday, May 11, at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga at the age of 106 years, 8 months and 26 days. Born August 16, 1904, to George C. and Olga (Guetschow) Wotschke, Elsie was raised on a farm in Redwood County, Minnesota. On April 9, 1939, she married John W. Veit, and together they owned and operated Veit"s Caf in Seaforth, Minnesota. They had two daughters " Elaine, who became a teacher, and Marian, who died when she was six days old. In 1944 the Veits moved east of Brainerd, Minnesota, where they farmed and co-owned a sawmill until 1959. Then they moved back to Redwood County to run Veit"s Recreation Center in Milroy. When Johnny retired in 1963, it was to a hobby farm in Meadow Township of Wadena County. After her husband"s death in 1966, Elsie continued to live there with Elaine until they moved to Menahga in 1975. Elsie lived with her daughter on Main Street until, following strokes and advanced Parkinson"s disease that took her independence, she moved to Green Pine Acres Nursing Home December 30, 2008. Baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church, Elsie was steadfast in her faith her entire life. She enjoyed volunteer work. Active in her circle at First English Lutheran Church, the Menahga Senior Citizens Center (she was the treasurer for 12 years), A.A.R.P (she was a charter member and first president of Chapter 4091), Menahga Garden Club, and Whist Club, Elsie was named Outstanding Senior Citizen of Wadena County in 1988. Blind since 1988, she continued to go to the center every day and to take part in their activities and those of her church until the Parkinson"s and a broken hip at age 99 slowed her down. Her hobbies moved from fancy work to listening to talking books. Elsie is survived by her daughter Elaine Veit of Menahga, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and daughter, Marian as well as by her three brothers Armin, Erwin and Johannes Wotschke and two sisters Rosa Woodford and Loida Froelich. Her private funeral was conducted by Reverend Steve Bruer from the First English Lutheran Church on Tuesday, May 17. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery ten miles east of Brainerd, where her husband is buried.