August 15, 1924 - February 25, 2025
A funeral service for Elna Easter was held Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, Algona. Burial was at Riverview Cemetery. Visitation was held on Thursday, Feb. 27 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Oakcrest Funeral Services in Algona.
Elna Charlotte (Swenson) Easter was born Aug. 15, 1924, on a farm in rural Winfield, the daughter of Gust and Adla (Sandeen) Swenson. She graduated from Mount Union High School in 1942. Elna continued her education at Iowa Wesleyan College where she earned her two-year teaching degree. She later attended Drake University for a BS degree.
On Oct. 2, 1947, Elna was united in marriage to Joe Easter at the Swedesburg Lutheran Church in Swedesburg. They lived in Washington, Iowa before moving to Algona in 1962.
Elna loved teaching and always enjoyed talking with former students. She taught first at Prairie Mound country school, Olds Consolidated school and in Washington. Her teaching career continued at Bryant Elementary in Algona until retiring after 33 years.
Faith was important to Elna. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon and with the Presbyterian Women. Elna was also involved in Delta Kappa Gamma, AAUW, Iowa Retired Teachers and Hospital Auxiliary.
Elna enjoyed being with family and friends. She delighted in the grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities, and always told them to study hard and get good grades. Elna also appreciated a good cup of hot coffee with her friends. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, quilt camp with her daughters, traveling, flowers and gardening.
Elna died Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Good Samaritan Society in Algona at the age of 100 years and six months.
Elna is survived by her children; Kristine (Dave) Gaulke of Indianola, Karen (Paul) Hulett of Mediapolis, Tom (Lisa) Easter of Algona and Janice (Rollie) Peterson of Fort Dodge; nine grandchildren; Nathan (Alison) Easter of Cambridge, Mollie (Dick Metteer) Easter of Graettinger, Brent (Beth) Gaulke of Pella, Sarah Gaulke of Corona del Mar, Calif., Jill (Jeremy Beelman) Hulett of Ft Madison, Ann (Lee) Goldstein of Monroe, Ga., Emma (Jacob) Hansen of Des Moines, Blake Peterson of Clive and Rose Peterson, Milwaukee Wis. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren; Henry, Ava and Charlie Easter; Mason, Silas, Kate and Miles Gaulke; Jake Wells, Jacob, Georgia and Joe Goldstein; nieces, Sandra (Harry) Mabeus, Sharon (Dan) Haws and nephew, Brett (Jamie) Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Joe in 1985, brother Gilbert Swenson; sisters, Ruth Swenson and Marie Johnson.
Online condolences may be made to oakcrestfuneralservices.com.