Elma Elizabeth Church Anderson Vreeland

    Elma Elizabeth Church Anderson Vreeland was born in Waukon, Iowa, January 3, 1920. She went to be with her Lord and Savior October 16, 2016, at the Kopper Krest Home in Mesa, Ariz., at the age of 96.
    The spring of 1920 the Church family moved from Maryland to Murdo, S.D., with the exception of Elma’s mother who stayed in Waukon, Iowa, until the birth of Elma. After her birth they joined the rest of the family in Murdo. She attended grade and high school in Murdo, graduating in 1939.
    Haakon and Elma Anderson were married February 26, 1940, and to that union four children were born. Jorgina (Bob) Ariz., Chris (Belva) S.D., Clevie (Ted) Ariz. and Lynette (Rick) Utah. They lived in Murdo with a brief stay in Van Metre until 1963 when they moved to Tucson, Ariz. They retired to Apache Junction in 1982 where they spent the rest of their days.
    Haakon went to be with his Savior in 1992. Elma married her brother in law Leo Vreeland in 1995. The kids fondly called them Uncle Dad and Aunt Mom. Leo died in 2005.
    Elma spent most of her work life as a nurses aid in Murdo and Tucson. She spent her long retirement developing friendships, drinking coffee and playing cards. Although cooking was not her favorite activity she loved to make noodles, Norwegian buns and cactus jelly to give away.
    Elma was proceeded in death by her husbands, Haakon and Leo, her daughter Jorgina, her parents Charles Wellington (Deke) and Gertrude Church, her brothers Roy and Bud, her sisters Helen, Clevie, Marie, Ruth, Genieve and Lucille.
    Elma is survived by three of her children and spouses, nine grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
    Elma will be laid to rest beside her first husband Haakon at the South Lawn Cemetery in Tucson, Ariz.