Elfrieda Martinmaas
May 26, 1929 ~ February 24, 2010
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 1, 2010 at St. Liborius Catholic Church in Polo with Father Chester Murtha officiating. Burial followed at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Polo. A wake service was held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, February 28, 2010 at the church.
Elfrieda Theresa was born May 26, 1929 to Fredrick and Elizabeth (Kriener) Haneke in Faulkton, South Dakota. She attended Progress County School near Orient and then Orient parochial school until the 4th grade. She graduated from Fairview High School in Polo in 1947.
On August 24, 1949, she married Gerald Martinmaas at St. Liborius Catholic Church in Polo. They made their home only ½ mile from where Elfrieda grew up. She farmed along side of Gerald while raising her children. While Elfrieda’s children were in school, she worked at the school lunch program in Polo and later for the Miller and Redfield sale barns.
Elfrieda enjoyed raising animals, cooking, canning, gardening, playing cards and the accordion, and spending time with her family. In her younger years, she and Gerald enjoyed dancing.
Her Catholic faith was very important to her as she prayed the rosary daily. She was a lifelong member of the St. Liborius Catholic Church and the Christian Mothers/Altar Society. Elfrieda enjoyed sharing the beautiful flowers from her garden to decorate the church for Mass.
Elfrieda’s memory will be cherished by her 10 children: David (Glenna) Martinmaas of Miller, Annette (Rodney) Craft of Aberdeen, Alvin (Cindy) Martinmaas of Orient, Cindy (Gary) Holler of Aberdeen, Pat Martinmaas (special friend Susan Deuter) of Miller, Tom (Candy) Martinmaas of Senatobia, Mississippi, Roger (Melanie) Martinmaas of Orient, Elaine (Greg) Martinmaas-Wysk of Bismarck, ND, Karen Yeaton (special friend Russ Christensen) of Chamberlain and Jerry (Melinda) Martinmaas of Clear Lake; 18 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; one sister, Lucy (Leo) Froning of Orient; one brother, Bob (Jan) Haneke of Orient; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gerald in 1996; one brother, Ben (Dena) Haneke; one sister-in-law, Bobbie Jean Haneke; and one son-in-law, Gregg Yeaton.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Elfrieda’s arrangements.
MINISTER
Father Chester Murtha
CASKETBEARERS
David Martinmaas
Alvin Martinmaas
Pat Martinmaas
Tom Martinmaas
Roger Martinmaas
Jerry Martinmaas
ALTAR SERVERS
Raymond Edgar
Jolene Edgar
LECTOR
Cindy Martinmaas
GIFT BEARERS
Leo & Lucy Froning
Bob & Jan Haneke
USHERS
Travis Martinmaas
Eric Martinmaas
ORGANIST
Jo Ann Schaefers
MUSIC SELECTIONS
"How Great Thou Art"
"On Eagle's Wings"
"Just a Closer Walk with Thee"
"Song of Farewell"
"Be Not Afraid"
INTERMENT
Mount Calvary Cemetery
Polo, South Dakota
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“Little Grandma” You will be truly missed.
Craig & Karra, Gannon,Gage,Paislee,and Presleigh
Love and prayers go out to each of you during this difficult time. She was a sweet aunt & godmother…
Laura
Our sympathies go out to the family and especially to my friend and ex-coworker Jerry. I was so shocked to hear the news. I guess sometime we think life is forever. I wanted to say that I know what its like to lose your mother but that’s not true because everyones loss is their own and can’t be shared or compared to anyone elses. Our thoughts are with you and the family…
The Brueggeman family wishes to extend our deepest condolences to all of Elfrieda’s family. She was one of the sweetest, hardest working women I’ve ever met. Always had a smile on her face and something positive to say. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. May she dance with the angels…Love, Debbie
Sympathy to all Elfieda’s family. So sorry to hear of her passing. I worked with Elfrieda at the Miller sale barn and will always remember her frying all those donuts.She was so fun to work with and was a hard worker.Always happy and talked about her dogs. Louie worked with her at the Redfield barn for a lot longer and always thought she was a lot of fun too. Gosh she will be missed! Again deepest sympathy to all of you. Louie & Mardella
a very loving person will be missed for eternity
Karen
Our Deepest Sympathy to you and your family. “What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, we may not understand why she let this earth so soon or why she left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that she died, but that she lived. And that her life gave you memories too beautiful to forget.”
Be assured that your mother is at rest with the Lord. She has completed the journey that we all are on and someday we too will rest in the arms of the Lord. May God give you peace knowing this.
To Elfrieda’s family, Just want you to know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers. The video tribute is a neat way to keep the memories alive. All of you take care and just remember that she is dancing in heaven.
Sincerely,
Jenise
Our sympathy to all of Elfrieda’s family.
So sorry we are not able to attend Elfreida’s funeral and see all of the family and celebrate her life. She was one swell sis-in-law and beautiful person. I have so many good memories of her. I am with you in spirit and you will all be my prayers. I am really enjoying the video of all of the family too.
To my cousins, the Jeff and Elfrieda Martinmaas family: I am so sorry for the loss of your mother and my aunt Elfrieda. She was the epitome of a tireless, selfless, farmer’s wife. What I know of your mother is that whatever she did as her daily routine she excelled in: cook, homemaker, gardener, animal caretaker, mother, confidant, friend, host, aunt, grandma. Our folks always talked very highly of both her and your father. We have many old pictures of your mom and our mom together laughing arm in arm. They truly loved eachother. I can see how they had a special bond as they were both very special beautiful human beings. Please know that your cousins, the Ben and Dena Haneke bunch sincerely share your sorrow as we have many fond memories of your wonderful mother, our aunt, Elfrieda. May they all frolic together once again as they are reunited with our father on his rich and fertile farm.
I am so very sorry for you loss. My prayers are with you.
Lanette
My deepest sympathy to your family on the loss of your mother.
My sympathies on the loss of your mother. May her memories live on in your hearts forever.