Elna June Schonholtz

Elna Schonholtz, age 91, of Redwood Falls passed away on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Garnette Gardens. A family memorial service will be held in the spring.

Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls. Condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com.

Born on a farm near Lowell, Indiana on June 23, 1931, Elna June Rudolph was the first child of Catherine Bohl Rudolph and Roland Rudolph. She grew up in northwestern Indiana with her parents and siblings, Shirley (John) Springer, Marilyn (Robert) Tomsik, and Terry (Sandy) Rudolph. Elna died in Redwood Falls on November 22, 2022.

A 3-room country school about 3 miles from their home provided her first years of education as did several years of 4-H and car trips with her family to Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, the Ozarks, and other places. She was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran, a country church about 10 miles from their home. 

Graduation from Lowell District High School and being awarded a National Merit Scholarship in 1949 was followed by a year at Indiana University and then graduation in 1953 from their training school for nurses. 

She moved to San Diego, California that year and was employed by Mercy and Grossmont hospitals as a registered nurse before marrying Donald Schonholtz in 1956. Robert (Jane), Kenneth, Joy (Rodney) and Timothy (Marie) were born to the couple in San Diego. 

In 1975, Sharp Memorial Hospital employed her, mainly in their newborn nursery where she especially enjoyed teaching baby care to new parents. 

After almost 20 years at Sharp and their Mary Birch Hospital, she retired and moved to Redwood Falls, Minnesota where she enjoyed becoming the first person to purchase a home in new Homestead Cooperative. She served as secretary of the cooperative’s board of directors and also volunteered at Adult Day Services of Redwood Area Hospital. She enjoyed helping with book sales sponsored by Friends of the Library and with quilt shows sponsored by Redwood Area Quilters. 

Her children, their spouses, and her 4 grandchildren, Derek, Robin, Kevin, and Douglas, were the most special parts of her life. 

She was preceded in death by her son Robert and grandson Kevin, and sister Shirley. 

Blessed be her memory.