Elaine Troxel

Elaine Doris Troxel, 91, Breckenridge, MN died at St. Francis Nursing Home, Wednesday, May 5, 2010. The Funeral will be Monday May 10, 2010 at 11:00 am, United Methodist Church, Breckenridge.

Officiating will be Pastor Terry Tilton. The visitation is at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge,    Sunday, May 9 from 5-7 pm with a prayer service at 7 pm. Interment is at          Fairview Memorial Gardens Wahpeton, ND. Pallbearers are her grandsons, Rick Underberg, Kevin Underberg, Robin Hinrichs Michael Underberg, Mitchel Underberg, Wade Fjeld, Christopher Troxel, Bill Troxel and Leroy Troxel.

Elaine Schennum was born September 9, 1918 in Wahpeton, ND to Lauritz (Louis) Johannes Schennum and Betsy (Johnson/Rykken) Schennum. Both parents were of Norwegian ancestry. Elaine was the little sister to eight siblings. She was baptized at Bethel Lutheran Church in Wahpeton in 1918. She was confirmed in 1929 in City Hall of Wahpeton which was serving at the temporary home of the Methodist Church at that time. Elaine’s childhood was nearly all spent in Richland County near the Wild Rice River. The Dust Bowl Days and the Great Depression impacted her life significantly. For a short time her family lived with her grandparents Charley and Karoline (Abbot) Johnson/Rykken in Gully, MN.

On January 21, 1936 Elaine married Kenneth Burton Troxel in Breckenridge, MN. They became the proud parents of Bonnie J., Beverly A., Gary E. and Duane K. They spent their summer enjoying fishing at Deer Lake and Ottertail Lake in Minnesota.

Elaine’s entire life was dedicated to the love and devotion she showed to her family. Family events were at the center of her happiness. She was very proud of all of her family. Elaine loved outdoor activities. Gardening went from a necessity to a hobby. She had certain sports teams she was passionate about especially the Minnesota Twins and the Breckenridge Cowboys and Cowgirls. She noted that one of her largest dislikes of her life was the winter of 1996-1997 when she was temporarily displaced by the flood.

Elaine was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church where she was ‘Junior Choir Mother’. She was a charter Member of the Eagles Club 2749. In 1988-1989 she was honored as “Mother of the Year”. In 2001, Elaine entered St. Francis Nursing Home. Elaine will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her family and friends.

Elaine survived by her daughters, Bonnie Fjeld, Buffalo, MN; Beverly (Donald) Dozak, Breckenridge, MN; sons Gary (Sharon) Troxel, Barnesville, MN; Dr. Duane (Odi) Troxel, Evanston, IL;         13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren and      extended family members and friends. She was preceded by her husband Kenneth Troxel, 1969; her parents, Lauritz and Johannes Schennum; her brothers and sisters: Lillian (1975), Mabel J. (1969) Clifford C. (1983), Esther (1946), Leonard B. (1970), Curtis M. (1989), and Clara and Louis who died in infancy.