Elmer T. Wacholz, age 89, of Albert Lea, died on Wednesday, April 9, 2003 at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Mansfield Lutheran Church in Mansfield Township, Freeborn County. The Rev. Donald Rose will officiate. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 11, at the Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, and one hour prior to the service at the Mansfield Lutheran Church on Saturday. Interment will be in the Mansfield Lutheran Cemetery in Mansfield Township, Freeborn County.

He was born Oct. 29, 1913 in Mansfield Township to William and Louise (Fahs) Wacholz. He married to Ardis Schacko on June 7, 1939 in Walters.

Elmer was baptized and confirmed at the Mansfield Lutheran Church. He attended Mansfield Country School District #87. Elmer lived in the Mansfield area most of his life and after retiring from farming in 1978, Elmer and his wife moved to Albert Lea. He was a lifetime member of the Mansfield Lutheran Church, and served on the church council. He had served also as chairman of the building committee, chairman of the centennial committee, finance committee, and treasurer for Lutheran Brotherhood. Elmer enjoyed golf, fishing, dartball and his family.

He is survived his wife of 63 years, Ardis Wacholz of Albert Lea; one daughter, VeeAnn and her husband David Solum of Chippewa Falls, Wis.; one grandson, Ethan and his wife Niki Solum of Albert Lea; three great-grandchildren: Emily, Abbie and Adam Solum; one sister, Malinda Heaney of Albert Lea; three sisters-in-law: Erma Wacholz of Mankato, Muriel Gries of Albert Lea, and Juanice and husband Daryl Smith of Alden; one brother-in-law, Norbert Schacko of Albert Lea; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers: George, William, Walter, Henry in childhood and Don Gries; sisters: Huldina Wacholz and Martha Mattick; brother-in-law, Robert Heaney; and sister-in-law, Betty Schacko.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to charity of your choice.