Elna Hartvigsen

Elna Magdalene, daughter of Albert and Martha (Hansen) Albertsen, was born December 8, 1929, near Poplar, Iowa. She was baptized, confirmed and married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton. Elna attended rural schools and then Audubon High School. Elna worked as a waitress in Kimballton until she was united in marriage with Merle Hartvigsen on November 28, 1947. Two daughters were born to this union. Merle and Elna farmed in Audubon, Shelby and Cass Counties, including the Hartvigsen family farm. They moved to Kimballton in 1953 and owned and operated The Social Café. After they sold the café, Elna worked for Nels Christoffersen and Arild Christensen at the local Gambles Store. Nels taught Elna to fix "almost anything." When the store closed, she joined her husband as a flag person for Western Engineering out of Harlan. In later years Elna kept busy cleaning local houses and businesses. She was often seen around town on her pride and joy - her John Deere riding mower. If you needed something done Elna was the one to call, as she rarely told anyone "no." She loved to cook, bake goodies for the grandkids and complete crossword puzzles. Elna died unexpectedly at her home in Kimballton on January 27, 2010. She was 80 years, one month and 19 days old. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Merle Hartvigsen (1988); daughter Linda Best (1994); brothers Harry (Shirley) and Milo Albertsen; and brothers-in-law. Elna is survived by her daughter Vickie Brannan (Jim) of Audubon; son-in-law Steve Best (Lynda) of Brayton; 10 grandchildren: Joel Brannan, Jennifer Sporrer (Bradley), Jaimie Behrens, Justin Brannan, Abby Rasmussen (Joe), Sara Best (fiancé Cord McCoy), Jodi Best, Wendi Langel (Tyler), Lindsay Henke, Whitney Henke (friend Rick Willenbring); 11 great-grandchildren: Mykel Brannan (friend Greg Hawkins), Stephanie Brannan (friend Anthony Kitchen), Kiara, Kodie and Kadence Sporrer, Chandler and Corey Behrens, Anna and Maggie Langel, and Austin and Zoey Rasmussen; sister Magda Esbeck of Elk Horn; sisters-in-law Monie Albertsen of Arizona and Sharon Hartvigsen of Harlan; dear friend Shawn Kitt and other relatives & friends. REVEREND STEVEN FROCK, OFFICIATING Music "HOW GREAT THOU ART" "ONE DAY AT A TIME" "WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS" CONGREGATION "THE LORD'S PRAYER" NANCY OWEN, VOCALIST MARCIA NELSON, ACCOMPANIST Casket Bearers JOEL BRANNAN TYLER LANGEL JOE RASMUSSEN JUSTIN BRANNAN BRAD SPORRER CORD MCCOY STEVE BEST Honorary Casket Bearers JIM BRANNAN MAYNARD NIELSEN RICK HANSEN STEVE BUELLER WARREN MADSEN TROY PETERSEN BRAD MADSEN NEAL JACOBSEN JIM MCCLAIN AND ELNA'S NIECES & NEPHEWS