Hanna Elshoff, age 81, of Chatfield, Minn., departed for her final Dream Ride Thursday, November 7, 2024, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn.,, due to injuries she sustained from a car accident.
Hanna was born during WWII in Verden, Germany, the daughter of Heinrich and Johanne (Riemann) Wahlers. She is survived by her sister Irmgard Lexvold (Wahlers), son Karl Elshoff, daughter Andrea Tolle, foster daughter Janelle Koch (Kevin), grandson Armin Mueller, granddaughter Silvia Mueller, and several cherished nieces, nephews and countless treasured friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Hans-Heinrich Wahlers and Manfred Wahlers, sister-in-law Waltraud Wahlers, and brother-in-law Walter Lexvold.
She emigrated from Germany to the U.S. in 1961 at age 18 starting her America journey in Fort Dodge, Iowa. From there she met up with her sister Irmgard in San Antonio, Tex., where she met James Elshoff with whom she married and had two children (later divorced). She lived a few years in Rochester, Minn., and then eventually settled on the family farm in Chatfield, Minn., where she managed the dairy farm for 25 years. As well as being a farmer she worked the night shift as a nursing assistant for 20 years at Madonna Towers and was a proud nanny and personal care assistant for others.
Hanna was well known in the Lions Club and Toastmasters communities and thoroughly enjoyed conventions and socializing. She gave credit to Toastmasters for the speaking opportunities that played a huge role in her expressing her true colors and creativity, and Lions Club gave her a platform to be of service.
At the age of 72 she launched her Dream Ride in a solar powered incumbent bicycle. Over a two-year period she traveled from Minnesota through many states all the way south to Florida, meeting many wonderful people who opened their hearts and homes. A major highlight was having brunch with former peanut farmer and U.S. president Jimmy Carter.
In her remaining few years she was a well known character in town, socializing at the local coffee shop and diner, and also enjoyed breakfast outings, summer parades, and early morning walks with dear friends.
She didn’t quite make it to her scheduled departure of 2052. Yes, the rumor is true. Hanna had a headstone completed several years ago with the death date of 2052 engraved on it, which became a legendary roadside attraction in Orion Township.
Her unique tenacity and character will be missed by many.
November 24 is Hanna’s Celebration of Life. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 24, 1-2 p.m. at Joy Ridge Event Center in Chatfield, Minn. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 2 p.m. There will be a reception/meal at Joy Ridge Event Center. The private family burial is Tuesday, November 12.
Lavonne Mensink says
My husband Lynn and I were in Toastmasters many years with Hanna, I drove her little incumbent bike around her yard and had my picture taken in it. I just Messaged her a Happy Bithday one day and the next saw on FB that she was in an accident and I messaged her again telling her I prayed she was OK and we need to get together for lunch soon. My deepest sympathy to the family, I feel so bad that we lost touch after Toastmasters!