M. Loftness

Elvina Loftness lived for 96 years. Born August 9, 1908 in Excel Township near Thief River Falls, Minnesota to Andrew G. and Palma (Nelson) Loftness, she was the middle of five children. Her older sister Mildred and older brother Einar preceded her in death. Younger sisters Viola Loftness O'Day, Moorhead, Minnesota and Berenice Loftness Elstad Ostrom, Carlton, Minnesota, survive. She died Wednesday, March 16 at Arden Hills Presbyterian Home.

Elvina was a happy child on their northern Minnesota farm. She attended the Loftness School at the corner of their farm. After graduating from Thief River High School and Normal School training, she became a teacher at the Loftness School from 1927-1929. Elvina attended Moorhead State College and taught in Greenbush, Comstock, and Mankato, Minnesota. In the 1940's she began her long career with 3M, living over sixty years in St. Paul. Elvina was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

She traveled worldwide with her church group, with the 3M Language Society, and with other friends. Family reunions were a delight to her.

Elvina had a passion for helping the disadvantaged. She never forgot her grandfather's warm, trusting relationship with the downtrodden native Americans at Ft. Ridgely, Minnesota. A 1967 visit to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota reinforced her sympathy with the native Americans. She created The Elvina Loftness Scholarship for Native Americans through Minnesota State University at Moorhead, believing that education is the solution to many problems. A number of relocated Vietnamese will attest to her strong desire to foster learning. Elvina held language classes in her home, helped them in acculturation, and made many friends in the process.

Always neat and well-dressed, a great cook and Christmas candy-maker, a rosemaler and hardanger-crafter, a great story-teller - this is Elvina. Most prominent, however, was her living faith. She wrote Sunday School plays, participated in Bible studies, teaching, bell choir, prayer group, and was known in her church family as an evangelizer. Her book, "O God, You have been so good to me!" says so much about her attitude and the joy she had in life.

In addition to her two younger sisters, Elvina is survived by nieces Marilyn Jaeger, Reeni Knudson, Elsie Dean, Maxine Leonardson; nephews Gregory Elstad, Larry O'Day, Warren O'Day, Delyle Hibler; numerous grand-nieces and -nephews, special friends David Bleeker, Dru and George Koerner, and many other close friends. Her parents and one niece, Sharon LeClair, also preceded her in death. Blessed be Elvina's memory.