Elaine Ruth Bargfrede, 95, of Alma, MO, died Friday, December 24, at her home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 31, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alma with Pastor Bernard Ross officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery in the Flora Community. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the church and from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran School Building Fund in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com
Born December 21, 1926, in Concordia, she was the daughter of the late Julius Brackman and Helena Rabe Brackman. Elaine was baptized, confirmed, and completed her elementary education at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Concordia. As a teenager, she and her sister, Marian, played mandolin, guitar, and harmonized at various functions and events in the Concordia area.
After World War II, she met and married Walter C. Bargfrede on April 27, 1947, and he preceded her in death on January 9, 2012. They resided in the Flora Community and attended St. Peter’s Lutheran Church until its closing. They then joined Trinity Lutheran Church in Alma where she was a longtime member of the choir, guild, and Sunday Morning Bible Class.
Elaine lovingly raised six children who fondly remember her and their father singing, harmonizing, and Walt playing the fiddle and Elaine playing the guitar. They shared their musical talents in nursing homes, the Low German Club, as well as other local events. They even recorded their own CD. Elaine loved being in the country where she enjoyed the outdoors, milking cows, gardening, and her pet dogs. She enjoyed being a homemaker, especially making homemade bread, but always made time to laugh and play, all while raising a large family. Elaine will be remembered for her deep faith in Jesus.
Survivors include four children: Richard Bargfrede (Mecca) of Ft. Myers, FL; Patricia Baglien (Tim) of Carrollton, MO, Susan Schreiman (Steve) of Alma, MO, and Steven Bargfrede of Concordia, MO; a daughter-in-law, Pamela Bargfrede of Kansas City, MO; seven grandchildren: Dyan Mojica (Abel), Ryan Bargfrede (Liz), Jennifer Thowe (Neil), David Bargfrede, Rachel Davidson (Ian), Coty Schreiman (Martha), and Lezlie Norris (Ryan); 18 great grandchildren: Nathan (Sydney), Henry, Conrad, Thomas, and Daniel Mojica; Taylor and Jake Bargfrede; Ella, Owen, and Faith Thowe; Dawson Bargfrede; Maliyah O’Maley and James Davidson; Riley and Charlie Schreiman; and Will, Nate, and Reed Norris; as well as many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband; she was preceded in death by two sons, James and Stuart Bargfrede; a great granddaughter, Natalie Thowe; two brothers, Alfred and Warner Brackman; and four sisters: Erna and Edna Brackman, Helen Ohrenberg and Marian Horman.