Elwira Klinkhardt, age 87 of Shakopee, died peacefully at her home on January 26, 2016. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11AM with visitation one hour prior on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 5634 Luther Rd SE, Prior Lake. Reverend John Vaughn will preside. Urn bearers will be Elwira’s grandson, Jacob Moreau, and her sons-in-law, Andy Pritchard, Dave Schallenkamp, and Tim Hoeben. Elwira will be laid to rest at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery.
Elwira was born March 9, 1928 in Friendstal, Bessarabia to parents, Jakob Grosshans II and Friederike Kelm. She was one of five girls. Due to the turmoil leading up to and following World War II, Elwira and her family relocated several times, including to Poland during the German relocation. During one such relocation, Elwina was separated from her family. In 1944 at the age of 16, she was in a displaced persons camp located in Russia. With the assistance of the Red Cross, Elwira was able to be reunited with her family in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
While living and working in Ludwigsburg, Elwira met a young man, Lothar Klinkhardt, at a soccer party. They courted for nearly two years before marrying on October 18 th , 1952 in Ludwigsburg. After three years of marriage, the young couple welcomed the birth of their first daughter, Gundrun. Three years later, the family was sponsored to move to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Eventually the family moved to south Minneapolis. There they gave birth to two more daughters, Veronica and Isabel. The family settled in Prior Lake were they lived on a hobby farm.
Together the family partook in the many activities the hobby farm provided, such as raising horses and gardening. Elwira greatly enjoyed doing yard work and being outside. For many years, she ran the L and E laundromat and dry cleaning while also caring for her family. While not working, Elwira enjoyed traveling. The family traveled to Germany every five years to visit family. Elwira also took many memorable road trips with Lothar to the Black Hills and Yellow Stone National Park.
One of Elwira’s greatest passions was to cook and bake. She was renowned for her German dishes—spaetzle, sauerkraut, and weinerschnitzel. Her meals were not only delicious, but always presented artfully. She passed her love of cooking unto Veronica. For more than 20 years, Elwira worked as the deli manager at Steve’s Red Owl and Radermacher’s grocery store in Prior Lake. She retired from her job in 1993. After her retirement, Elwira continued to be involved in her children’s lives. She could often be found taking care of her grandchildren or helping Veronica cater. She was a strong, friendly woman who never spoke poorly about anyone and would always lend a helping hand.
Elwira will be dearly missed by her husband of 64 years, Lothar; daughters, Gudrun (Andy) Pritchard, Veronica (Dave) Schallenkamp, and Isabel (Tim) Hoeben; grandchildren, Jacob Moreau, Katie Prtichard, Lauren Pritchard, Lindie Schallenkamp, Stephanie Schallenkamp, Christina Schallenkamp, Alexis Hoeben, and Jessica Hoeben; many other loving relatives and friends.
Elwira is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Klara Grosshans, Lilli Grosshans, Ella Reule, Helene Dargel, and Melitta Berger; son-in-law, Steve Moreau.
