Elsie Kephart Obituary

Per her request, a private graveside service celebrating the life of Elsie Kephart of Bertha will be held at the Moran Cemetery in Germania Township, Todd County, MN.
Elsie Marie Purucker was born the youngest of six children to Carl and Gertrude (Henseling) Purucker on January 17, 1934, at their home in Galva, IA. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Galva and graduated as the salutatorian with the class of 1952. After high school she worked as a telephone switchboard operator.
On November 21, 1954, Elsie was united in marriage with Arnold Rae Kephart in Galva, IA. Throughout her journey she lived in Galva, and Anoka, MN, before making the Bertha area their home. Elsie participated in running the family farm, gardening, canning, and all the things a homemaker would do while raising their five children. In quieter hours she liked playing cards, working jigsaw puzzles and reading. She always enjoyed a fish fry and steak on the grill! After the cows were sold, Elsie and Arnold chose to travel, seeing much of Wisconsin and the South Dakota Badlands area. Even with failing health she was still able to stay in her home of 52 years.
At the age of 91, Elsie's health struggles ended on October 6, 2025, with family by her side at the Lakewood Health System in Staples, MN, and she is now at peace.
Preceding Elsie in death were her husband, Arnold (2012); parents, Carl and Gertrude; daughter Karla Rasmusson; granddaughter, Alecia Reinolt; sons-in-law, Keith Reinolt, Curtis Lamberson and Mike Stumbris; siblings: Ernest Purucker, Lloyd Purucker, Sadie Loop, Maxine Wandrey and Harriet Johnson; and parents in-law, Earl and Florence (Clouse) Kephart.
Surviving Elsie are her children: Kim Kephart of Atwater, Wayde Kephart, Arnette (Mike) Kneisl both of Bertha and Ranae Stumbris of Wausaukee, WI; 16 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; along with numerous extended family, friends and neighbors.