Elaine Marthaler

Elaine M. Marthaler, age 77 of Sauk Centre, died after a long battle with cancer on Thursday, October 13, 2005 at St. Michael's Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 18 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schneider officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Friends may call Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be at 5:15 pm followed by Christian Mothers at 7 p.m.

Elaine Marthaler was born December 12, 1927 in Round Prairie Township, Todd County, Minnesota to August G. and Ernestena W. (Neuman) Knaak. She married Vincent G. Marthaler on July 24, 1946 in Long Prairie, Minnesota. She was employed as a nurses assistant at St. Michael's Hospital for 20 years. She enjoyed visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elaine liked to crochet and crafts. She was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church.

Survivors include her sons, Thomas Marthaler of Hanover, Dale Marthaler (Gail) of Tucson, Arizona; daughters-in-law, Lois Marthaler of Sauk Centre and Sandy Gralnek of Phoenix, Arizona; sisters, Margaret Collin (John) of La Jolla, California, Gladys Miller (Melvin) of Gutches Grove, Dorothea Finseth (Robert) of Coon Rapids; ten grandchildren, Charles, Jennifer, Renee, Michele, Tonya, Angela, Barrett, Monica, Brandee and Martina; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vincent Marthaler on August 7, 1970; sons, V. Jack Marthaler on December 7, 1987 and James Marthaler on October 8, 1996; and brother, Theodore Knaak, in infancy.

Serving as casket bearers will be Barrett Marthaler, Tom Gonyea, Joel Peterson, Greg Berg, Brian Willegalle and Mark Walter. Cross bearer will be Martina Willegalle, scripture bearer will be Angie Berg and lectors will be Tonya Peterson and Renee Rohde. Honorary bearers will be Martie Thomes, Sharon Kemper, Theresa Schmiesing, Roy Pundsack, Connie Sell, Dee Lehner and St. Michael's Nursing Home Staff.

Memorials are preferred to St. Michael's Hospital and Nursing Home.