Elna Pestorious, 1926-2015

Published 9:00 am Sunday, May 31, 2015

Funeral services for Elna I. Pestorious of Albert Lea will be 2 p.m. Monday at Concordia Lutheran Church of Pickerel Lake in rural Albert Lea. The Rev. Wendy Anderson will officiate. Interment will be in Concordia Pickerel Lake Lutheran Cemetery in rural Albert Lea. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea and one hour before the service at the church.

Elna Pestorious

Elna died on Friday, May 29, 2015, in Alexandria. She was 88.

Elna Ihleen was born on Nov. 3, 1926, in Freeborn County in Pickerel Lake Township, the daughter of Axel and Marie (Hansen) Skov. A lifelong resident of Freeborn County, she graduated from Alden High School with the class of 1944. She married Gerald Pestorious on Sept. 1, 1946, at the Danish Lutheran Church in Alden.

Elna was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church of Pickerel Lake where throughout her life she had been actively involved, especially enjoying circle and choir. She was a member of the Pickerel Lake Homemakers Club.

Elna’s life centered around her family and she enjoyed making their house a loving home. She appreciated all kinds of music, enjoyed playing the piano and loved to travel.

She is survived by two children, Gwen Saul and her husband, William, and Gary Pestorious and his wife, Dawn; grandchildren Krista Peterson and her husband, Jon, Cole Pestorious and his wife, Katie, Kelsha Pestorious, Jason Pestorious and Amy Pestorious; nine great-grandchildren; sisters Ingeborg Reindal and Eunice Johnsrud; brother, Arnold Skov, and his wife, Helen; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Axel and Marie Skov; her husband, Gerald Pestorious; son, Leon G. Pestorious; grandson, Matthew J. Severson; sister, Esther, in infancy; and two brothers-in-law, Howard Johnsrud and Lloyd Reindal.

Her family will cherish their memories of a very loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and said, “We are thankful for her life and are secure, knowing that her struggles of earthly life are over and she is at peace in the arms of her Heavenly Father.”

Memorials preferred to Concordia Lutheran Church of Pickerel Lake or the Alzheimer’s Association.