Obit: Meyer, Aldena Elnora (1916 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Meyer, Bluhm, Staffon, Smith, Goens, KIeveno, Sommerhalder, Bower, Warner, Sheda, George, Burt, Moore, Onstad, Greene, Cooper, Jury

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI) 9/01/2010

Meyer, Aldena Elnora (6 May 1916 – 23 August 2010)

Aldena E. Meyer, 94, of Black River Falls died Monday evening, Aug. 23, 2010, in Pine View Care Center, Black River Falls.

Aldena Elnora Staffon was born May 6, 2916, at Oak Grove Township of Alma, Jackson County to Jacob “Jake” and Lulu (Bluhm) Staffon. At an early age, she moved with her parents and sister, Gertrude, to a farm in Wrightsville. She attended the Wrightsville School and, in 1934, graduated from Black River Falls High School. She attended teachers’ training in Black River Falls from 1934 to 1935. She then went on to teach rural schools from first through eighth grades at Kenyon Valley, Judkins and Van Horn schools. She also taught at Hixton Elementary and did substitute teaching in Black River Falls. During this time, she attended Eau Claire State Teacher’s College during the summers.

She was united in marriage to Philip E. Meyer Feb. 6, 1937, by Rev. Cooper. They lived in Hixton, Madison, Baraboo and Black River Falls. Together, they celebrated 60 years of marriage. Philip Meyer died March 9, 1997. She was also preceded in death her parents and a granddaughter, Betsy Bower, in March of 2004.

Aldena was a faithful member of the Black River Falls United Methodist Church since 1952, teaching Sunday School and holding offices in United Methodist Women, church circles and general church offices. She was also a member of the united Methodist Women and the weekly prayer group. She was a past member of the Black River Falls Woman’s Club, Jackson County Homemakers, Black River Memorial Hospital Auxiliary (“Partners”), Jackson County Retired Teachers, and the Prime-Time Club.

She was given to letter writing so kept in close touch with family and friends. She enjoyed her flowers and birds and was dedicated to her family and their activities. Her great joy was her family and friends and times they shared together.

Aldena moved to the Pine View Terrace assisted living apartments Feb. 1, 2003, In March of 2008, she moved to the Pine View Care Center.

Survivors include three daughters: Katherine (Milton) Smith of Oshkosh, Mary Goens of Wauwatosa and Marlene Meyer of Evanston, IL; a son, David “Woody” (Luane) Meyer of Black River Falls; seven grandchildren; Diane (Dean) Kleveno of Waukesha, James (Aimee) Smith of Fond du Lac, Dena Smith of Oshkosh, Thomas (Kristin) Smith of Omro, Curtis (Jennie) Goens of Franklin, Jarod (finance, Megan Sommerhalder) Meyer of La Crosse and Jennifer Meyer of Milwaukee; eight great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Kleveno, Colleen Kleveno, Mykaelah Smith, Claire Bower, Wyatt Smith, Luke Bower, Julia Goens and Eddie Goens; a step-grandson, Cody Warner; her sister, Gertrude Sheda; five nieces, Marcella (John) George of Nevada, IA, Maurine Burt of Lodi, Jane (Bob) Moore of Mobile, AL, and Joan Onstad and Vonnie (Dick) Greene, both of Black River Falls; several cousins; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services wee held at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, 2010 from the Black River Falls Methodist Church. Pastor Kathleen Jury officiated, and burial was in Riverside Cemetery.

Family and friends were invited for visitation Friday from 1;30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the church.

The family prefers memorials be given to the Black River Falls united Methodist Church, the Jackson Count Historical Society, the Pine View Care Center and Terrace activity fund or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.  The Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, assisted the family with arrangements.