A Mass of Christian Burial for Elaine “Tootie” Mehan will be held at 10:30am, Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Interment will be at Milford Cemetery in Milford. Visitation will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, with the family present from 5:00 – 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
Elaine Dorothy “Tootie” Brueggeman was born May 27,1926, to Henry and Maggie (Ihnen) Brüeggemann. She grew up in Harris, IA, graduating from Harris High School in 1943, attended Mankato Commercial College, and worked in Spencer, IA.
On January 12,1946, she was introduced to William Mehan at the Woodcliff Ballroom in Spencer by mutual friends, two of whom were William’s cousins. William had just received his honorable discharge from the Navy that morning in Minneapolis, MN. Bill and friends would ride the train from Emmetsburg to Spencer to attend dances.
On August 20, 1947, William and Tootie were married in Emmetsburg, IA; they lived there until 1949 when they moved to Harris and started farming. In 1953 they rented a farm at Terril where they raised their family and farmed that farm for 50 years. Barbara,Robert,Kenneth,Nancy, and Linda all attended and graduated from Terril Schools. Tootie had a huge garden, canned alot, baked home-made bread and cookies, and sewed most of the childrens’ clothing. In 1983, Bill and Tootie moved to Milford but kept farming. Tootie helped with field work and harvests and also worked part time at the Milford Pharmacy. During this time they also spent several winters in southwestern states.
Most important in their lives were their children, and they were fortunate to have them all live close by. Later they immensely enjoyed their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bill and Tootie had been members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford since 1953. She volunteered with quilters and the shawl ministry. She was a member of the Terril American Legion Auxiliary. Tootie enjoyed coffee with friends and playing cards with several groups, especially the Terril bridge group which endured well over 60 years. She enjoyed watching many sports, both her family members who played and broadcasts on TV.
Tootie passed peacefully to eternal life at the age of 98 on January 25, 2025, at Accura Care Center in Milford.
Tootie is survived by her children, Barb(Bob) Kollasch, Ken(Chas) Mehan, Nancy (Keith) Wurtz, and Linda (Roger) Ruble; grandchildren, Joe(Amber) Kollasch, Chad(Melissa) Kollasch, Travis (Bobbi) Kollasch, Janette(Andy) Krueger, Jared Mehan, Cory Mehan, Brian(Christine) Mehan, Erica(Jens) Hjelm, Ryan(Jaylin) Wurtz, Kyle(Amanda) Ruble, Logan Ruble; great-grandchildren, Nathan and Kayla Kollasch, Niki and Alex Kollasch, Natalie and Kolton Kollasch, Grady, Luke, and London Krueger, Elliot, Lincoln, and Conner Mehan, Leighton, Rhett, and Owen Hjelm, Sadie Ruble, and Jace and Anna Ruble; step-grandchildren, Sonya (Adam) Thompson and Jared(Stacy) Zatloukal; step great-grandchildren, Brandon(Kira) Hochwender and Katie Hochwender; Natalie,Brooke, and Ava Zatloukal; great-great-step-grandchildren, Luka and Baker Hochwender; also many cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families, and friends.
Tootie was preceded in death by her husband Bill in 2004, son Robert in 2017, her parents, sister Della Mae Rubsam, brother Bud Brueggeman, brother-in-law Arlyn Rubsam, sister-in-law Marge Brueggeman; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Carpenter and Marge Wollner; brothers-in-law, Dick Carpenter and Ed Wollner.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
