Elaine M. Vanaernam

Elaine Mae VanAernam, the daughter of Walter and Carrie Lauridsen Jensen, was born May 15, 1924, at her parents home in Audubon County, in the Elk Horn-Exira area and died May 10, 2009, at the Exira Care Center in Exira , Iowa at the age of 84 years, 11 months, and 25 days.
Elaine was baptized July 13, 1924, and confirmed April 26, 1936, at the Exira Lutheran Church. She attended rural school in the Exira area, then cared for her sister Thelma and helped operate the family farm.
On May 23, 1942, she was united in marriage to Clarence E. VanAernam at St. Johns Lutheran Parsonage east of Exira. Three sons, Gary, Gale, and Roy were born to this union. They operated Clarences family farm where they raised livestock and grain. They retired from farming and moved into Exira in 1984. They enjoyed their home then moved to the Exira Care Center in November of 2003. Clarence died on January 10, 2004.
Elaine was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church and was active in the Womens groups. She was a member of several neighborhood clubs. She always enjoyed playing Friday night bingo. She was a member of the Garden Club. She enjoyed camping and was a member of the Audubon County Travelers. Elaine and Clarence enjoyed spending their winters in Weslaco, Texas as long as they were able. She was a member of the Farm Bureau womens organization.
Preceding her in death are her husband Clarence E. VanAernam, her granddaughter Amy Katherine, her parents, her sister Thelma Jensen and her brother Bernard Jensen; and her sisters-in-law: Ruby Larsen and Elsie VanAernam.
Survivors include her sons and their wives: Gary and Judy VanAernam, and Gale and Colleen VanAernam all of Exira and Roy and Belinda VanAernam of Ida Grove, IA; 9 grandchildren: Ann and husband Scott Long of Altoona, IA, Jason and wife Jenna VanAernam of Elizabeth, CO, Abby VanAernam, Jon VanAernam, Jill and husband Dan Christensen, Andy and wife Ashley VanAernam all of Exira, IA, Kelly and husband Mike Niemeier of Aurelia, IA, Sara and husband David Ladwig of Breda, IA., Carrie and husband Chris Radford of Treynor, IA; her great grandchildren: Leslie, Brendan, Zachary Jones all of Omaha, NE., Madison and Mariah Johansen and Payton and Parker Long all of Altoona, Jaylee, Jessica VanAernam of Elizabeth, CO, Drew and Jaci Christensen and Clayton VanAernam all of Exira, IA. Kaitlyn Witzel of Des Moines, IA., Taylor, Christian and Bailey Witzel all of Aurelia, Lily and Jack Ladwig of Breda, IA; her sister Lois and husband Harold Jensen of Madrid, Ia., sister-in-law: Frances Jensen of Ft. Dodge, IA, brother-in-law: Edwin Larsen of Elk Horn, IA, many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
The casket bearers will be: Andy VanAernam, Jon VanAernam, Jason VanAernam, Scott Long, Chris Radford,David Ladwig, Mike Niemeier, and Dan Christensen.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira, Iowa

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Tuesday evening at 6:30 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Kathy Wicks on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at 10:30 A.M. at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa