Elizabeth "Tootie" Meldaus

Elizabeth L. “Tootie” Meldaus, age 92 of Grey Eagle, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grey Eagle. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.  A private inurnment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Grey Eagle.

Elizabeth Louise Buchholz was born June 17, 1929 to Albert and Ida (Fritzlar) Buchholz. She graduated from Long Prairie High School, and in 1947, she married Raymond Meldaus in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She worked as a bookkeeper/payroll clerk at Sears, Drug Supply, Crown Auto, and Braun’s. Tootie and Ray lived in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, and after retirement, the couple moved to Big Birch Lake in Grey Eagle and wintered in Florida for many years.

She loved cooking and baking and had a reputation as a fabulous cook. Tootie enjoyed playing cribbage and doing puzzle books. She loved spending time and sharing a laugh with family and friends.

Tootie was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where she served as the church auditor. She also devoted many years of service to support the Annual Meatball Supper.

Survivors include her husband, Raymond Meldaus of Big Birch Lake; son, Jeffrey (Carol) Meldaus of Anoka; daughter, Susette (Pat) Smith of Maple Grove; grandchildren, Joelle (Andy) Pidhayny of Fort Mill, South Carolina, Justin (Jenny) Meldaus of Minneapolis, Ry (Joelle) Meldaus of Little Falls, and Matthew (Liz) Meldaus of Burtrum; six great grandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Deb McCloskey of New Brighton.

Tootie was preceded in death by her parents; son, Brian Meldaus; sisters and brothers, Doris Guse, William Buchholz, Victor Buchholz, and Grace Larson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Grey Eagle. The family respectfully requests masks be worn at the service.