Elaine C. Vogel

Funeral Services will be 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Cloud for Elaine C. Vogel, age 90, of Avon. Elaine passed away December 10, 2017, grateful that she could live life on her own terms and in her beloved home on the lake. Reverend Bruce Timm will preside. Burial will take place in the St. John the Baptist Parish Cemetery in Collegeville.

A visitation will take place from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, December 15 at the St. John the Baptist Parish Center in Collegeville. A visitation will also take place after 12 noon on Saturday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Cloud.

Elaine was born October 25, 1927 in Stearns County, MN to Scott and Jorgine “Gena” (Olson) Mills. She graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School in 1945. While in high school, she worked in the concession stand at the Paramount Theatre and later as a salesperson at Fandel’s. After graduation, she went to Minneapolis and worked in the office of Boulevard Frocks. When Al, the love of her life, returned from serving in the Air Force, she returned to St. Cloud. They were married in 1947 and that happy union lasted 62 years until Al’s death in 2009.

Elaine spent the next four years as the secretary to the general manager of Herberger’s. From there she went to Stearns Manufacturing and spent ten years in their office. Her final 32+ years were spent at St. John’s Abbey and University. She was secretary to three Presidents and three Abbots. Because of her association with St. John’s, Al and Elaine developed some very close relationships with the monks. Through her association with St. John’s, she and Al made several trips to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Mexico where they stayed at the missions. They also were host parents to 14 College of St. Benedict Bahamian students.

Elaine was a member of the St. Joseph American Legion Auxiliary Unit #328 for 45 years. She served as Unit President for 12 terms and was the Unit’s Poppy Chairman for 20 years. She also served as Veterans Administration & Rehabilitation Chairman under three Department Presidents. She was President of the East Stearns Council for a year.

After retirement, Elaine spent time volunteering at the St. Cloud Veterans Administration Healthcare Center where she accumulated 12,971 volunteer hours. She also served as a Deputy Rep for the American Legion Auxiliary in the Veterans Administration Voluntary Services.

One of her favorite pastimes was trying new recipes, entertaining and cherishing their many friends. She and Al were also able to enjoy trips throughout the United States. Elaine especially loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and all holidays were family oriented.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Patricia Ann (Chris) Zimmerman of St. Cloud and Daniel Alfred (Kris) Vogel of Avon; grandchildren Mathew (Jennie) Zimmerman of Dallas, TX, Molly (James) Mann of Dallas, TX, Megan (Nate) Corrieri of Sartell, and Garrett Vogel of St. Joseph; great grandchildren Mason and Sophia Corrieri, Michaela and Joshua Zimmerman, Cori Lynn Vogel and Claire Rose Mann; sister Marlys Starr of Kennewick, WA; sisters-in-law Mary Backus, Jane Palmersheim, Mary Ann Vogel, Arlene Vogel, Lorraine Vogel, Roberta Prose and Karen Vogel; and brothers-in-law Louis Vogel, Wally Backus and August Preusser.

Preceding Elaine in death were her parents, husband Al (May 17, 2009) and nine in-laws.