Elizabeth Edna (Hofkamp) Weeda

Elizabeth Weeda age 92 of Chandler, MN died Thursday, August 18, 2011 at the Wedgewood Manor in Cavalier, ND. Services will be 2:00PM Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson, MN, with a luncheon served immediately after the service. Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Monday, August 22, 2011 at the Chandler Funeral Chapel, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be in the Chandler Memorial Cemetery. The Chandler Funeral Association is handling the arrangements.

Elizabeth Edna Weeda was born July 29th, 1919 in Bemis, SD to Gerrit Hofkamp and Lena (DenBoer) Hofkamp. Liz, as everyone knew her, attended school through 7th grade and completed 8th grade at home in order to care for her younger siblings after her mother passed away.

Liz married Richard Weeda on February 8th, 1940 at a farm home in Rock County, MN. They lived in various places as they farmed, but finally settled on a farm north of Lake Wilson, living there from 1950-1964. Surprisingly to all, Liz and Rich had their first and only child in 1954 when Liz was 34. They lived in the Iona area from 1964-1973 and then settled on a farm near Chandler, MN in 1973. Liz lived in a an apartment in Chandler after Rich died in 1996 and moved to Wedgewood Manor in Cavalier, ND in 2009, where she was visited daily by loving family members.

Liz and Rich were members of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson. Liz first made a commitment to follow Jesus Christ in her 20s, and she re-dedicated her life to Christ in the 1980s. In her later years, Liz enjoyed services via television, communion provided in her home by the Lutheran pastor, and joyfully attended all services and Bible studies offered at the nursing home, Wedgewood Manor.

Wherever Liz lived, her hands were always busy. As a homemaker, she crocheted, quilted, canned, enjoyed jig saw puzzles and many crafts. She loved to play pinochle and other card games. She was active in the Farmer’s Union, Ladies Aid, and Birthday Club. She taught Sunday school. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 50 years and served in various offices. She completed the Red Cross Nursing Course, “Care of the Sick and Injured.” Liz was an American Heart Association blood donor for as long as anyone can remember. Liz got a kick out of working with the gals at Fey Industries for a few years after Rich retired, where she got to indulge her preference for working at night.

Throughout her life and every hardship~ growing up during the Depression, losing her mother, helping to raise her siblings~ Liz always maintained her feisty disposition, snappy sense of humor, and kind heart. When she wasn’t talking, she was singing or whistling~ most often hymns or naughty songs. Liz always had a phrase for everything. Here are some cherished phrases we remember. “You’re full of little green apples” (when trying not to swear around the kids). “If they don’t like the way I look, they can look the other way.” “It’s good enough for who lives here” (after cleaning house). At every wedding, “Can you imagine waking up next to THAT every morning?” “I love you. I’ve always loved you since before you were born.” (Often said to Liz’ daughter, Lynn, and the last words Liz spoke to her the day she died.)

Elizabeth Edna Weeda, age 92, died holding her daughter’s hand, August 18, 2011, at the Wedgewood Manor in Cavalier, ND.

Liz is survived by her daughter, Lynn (Weeda) Simmons and her son-in-law, Tom Simmons of Cavalier, ND; 4 grandchildren, Jonathan, Timothy and Matthew Simmons and Rebekah Miller; 5 great-grandchildren; her sister, Bernice Millis of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; and two special grandchildren by love, Bryce Gens and Tasha Brown.

She was preceded in death by her husband Rich, her brothers George, Ed, and Alvin, her sister Trace, and her step-sibilings, Arvin and Mavis.

Liz was known by many titles: Mom, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Grandma, Friend. She will be greatly missed, but not forgotten. Because of her faith in Jesus Christ, we are confident that we will meet her again.