Addie M. Bahnsen" Elsbury

ROCK FALLS: Addie ?Bahnsen? M. Elsbury, 97, of Rock Falls, passed away peacefully Saturday (December 8, 2007) surrounded by her family at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 11, 2007, at 10:30 AM, at the Old Stone United Methodist Church in Rock Falls, with Pastor Jim Turner and Rev. Wendy Johannsen officiating. Interment will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery. A visitation will be Monday (December 10, 2007) from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Memorials may be directed to the Addie ?Bahnsen? M. Elsbury memorial fund. Addie Marie ?Bahnsen? Elsbury was born February 26, 1910 in Iowa City, IA. She was baptized at the orphanage and at ten days of age she was brought by train to the Plymouth Junction to became the adopted daughter of Robert and Emma (Daligh) Mitchell. She grew up N.E. of Plymouth. She received her 8th grade diploma given to her at Northwood, Iowa on May 10, 1924. Addie cared for her mother at age 17 until her death in 1930. She married Carsten J. Bahnsen on March 20, 1932 in Albert Lea, MN. They had her father, Robert Mitchell live with them and they cared for him until his death in 1935. Carsten and Addie raised their children Dola and Westly ?Bud? on the Schneider farm N.E. of Rock Falls. They bought the Charles ?Burt? Olden place in Rock Falls in June of 1955 and retired from farming to that acreage in 1957. Together they had a large garden with strawberries and sweet corn to sell and give away to family and friends. Addie lovingly took care of the Rock Falls Cemetery for 25 years. She dressed thousands of chickens for area farmers. Carsten and Addie belonged to the Garden Club and Birthday Card Club. Carsten died December 13, 1973. On April 23, 1983 she married Aaron ?Andy? Elsbury. While with Andy she belonged to the North Iowa Vintage Auto Club. They wintered in Apache Junction, AZ until Andy?s death on May 16, 1997. Addie was a member of the Old Stone United Methodist Church. She loved to work. She was happiest when the lawn needed mowed and was able to do this to the age of 93. She liked to keep her hands busy and crocheted Afghans and doilies large and small. Addie is survived by her daughter, Dola Shannon of Mason City, and son, Westly R. ?Bud? Pauline Bahnsen of Mason City; grandchildren, Debbie (George) Perry of Plymouth, Kristie Infante, John Infante, and Joy Campbell all of Mason City, Lindee (Steve) Ciavarellie of Albert Lea, MN, Chris (Linh) Bahnsen of Lake Wales, FL, Paula (Ross) Anderson of Dumont, IA, Carrie (Ron) Waldbillig of Wes Des Moines, IA; thirteen grandchildren; 9 Great-great grandchildren; Andy?s children, Thelma, Coral, Clair and their families; special friends, Jerry and Judi Ulin and her friends and neighbors at Rock Falls. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, and son-in-law, Jack Shannon. The family would like to thank everyone at Willow Point Assisted Living and Hospice of North Iowa for all their wonderful care and compassion. Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. 641-423-0924 www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com

Visitation:
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue on December 10, 2007 (map/driving directions) 5:00 PM to 5:00 PM at 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue on December 10, 2007 (map/driving directions)

Service:
10:30 AM at on December 11, 2007 (map/driving directions)