Elaine Emily Kachelmeier, age 97, of Gibbon, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2024, at Woodstone Senior Living in New Ulm.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 19, 2024, at St. Willibrord Catholic Church in Gibbon, officiated by Father Brian Oestreich. Following the service, Elaine will be laid to rest at St. Willibrord Catholic Cemetery in Gibbon.

Visitation will take place on Friday, July 19, 2024, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the church, prior to the service.

Video of the service can be viewed at: https://fb.watch/tJXJeUWmOI/

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.

Elaine is survived by her sons Allan (Nadia), Ron (Cynthia Lacey), Paul, Tony (Paula), Mark (Sandra Willoughby); daughter Brenda (William) Harrell; fourteen grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; sister Helen (Gary) Wallner; brother, Clarence (Joyce) Sprenger; and many extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years Anthony; her parents John and Helen (Grau) Sprenger; daughter-in-law, Jean Braun; brothers, Donald (Marie) Sprenger, Wilbert (Marian) Sprenger, Anton (Rose Ann) Sprenger, Stanley (Delores) Sprenger, sister Roslyn (John) Kuck; parents- in-law John and Mary (Neubauer) Kachelmeier.

Elaine Sprenger was born October 18, 1926, to Anton and Helen (Grau) Sprenger in Essig, Cottonwood Township, MN. With a strong German heritage, she grew up speaking German as a child. She attended District 9 country school until 8th grade and spent one year at Trinity Catholic School for Catholic Confirmation. Afterward, she left school to help on the family farm.

Elaine was united in marriage to Anthony Kachelmeier at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, MN. They began farming together near Sleepy Eye (the Hoppe Place) before purchasing a farm near Gibbon. They were blessed with six children, who were raised on the family farm. In the early years, Elaine kept chickens and sold eggs. She also helped on the farm by raising calves and doing the bookkeeping until their retirement in 1985.

Elaine loved cooking German dishes for the family and was famous for her bread, rolls, and garlic dill pickles. Her freezer was always stocked with cookies for the grandkids and apple pies. Some of her favorite hobbies included gardening, playing cards, and listening to polka music. She also enjoyed quilting and crafts, sharing many handmade ornaments with her family. Elaine and her quilting group donated quilts to area hospitals, and she made each of her grandchildren a quilt as a high school graduation gift.

Elaine was an active member of St. Willibrord Catholic Church in Gibbon, where she served in numerous capacities.

The family would like to thank the staff at Woodstone Senior Living for their kind care of Elaine.