Elna Botkins

Age 96, of Fairgrove, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 25th, 2014. There she will reside with all of the saints, in the place the Lord has prepared for her. Elna was born to August Helmer and Matilda (Gull) Soderstrom on June 12th, 1917, in the town of Matchwood in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Elna attended and graduated from Ewen High School. She was united in marriage to George W. Botkins on July 19th, 1938, in Bergland, Michigan. Elna worked for the Caro State Hospital for 18 years, retiring on July 14th, 1974. Elna was preceded in death by her parents, August Helmer and Matilda Soderstrom, her husband George Botkins in 2002, her three brothers: George, Bert and Carl, and a son-in-law, Wayne Emery. A life-long Lutheran who was strong in her faith, Elna was also proud of her extensive Swedish heritage and spent many years learning about her family and ancestors. In addition, Elna was fond of the outdoors. She loved hunting, trout fishing, flower gardening and seeing magnificent sunsets on the south shore of Lake Superior. Surviving Elna are her three daughters: Carolyn and husband Don Carpenter of Caro, Patricia and husband George Wright of Mikado, and Ann Emery of Caro. Also surviving are grandchildren: David and Christine Carpenter, Dean and Nancy Carpenter, Beth and Tim Hoppe, Debra and Henry Pahlkotter, Melissa and Robert Mannor, Denise and Steve Bujalski, Grant and Susan Emery, and Sarah and Jason Hall. Elna also had 20 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Visitation for Elna will take place at Martin Funeral Home-Clark Chapel in Fairgrove on Sunday, April 27, 2014 from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm. On Monday, Elna will be taken to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fairgrove to lie in state from 12:00 pm until time of service at 1:00 pm. The service will be officiated by Rev. Leonard A. Astrowski, with burial to immediately follow in Brookside Cemetery. Those desiring to make a memorial are asked to give to the family discretionary fund.