Elmer E. Papenfus

St. Charles
Elmer Edwin Papenfus, 93, of St. Charles died Monday, February 15th at Caledonia Care and Rehab Center. Elmer was born April 23, 1922 in Hokah to Herman and Ida (Vix) Papenfus. He married Beatrice Patterson of St. Charles on September 26, 1944. Elmer liked to fish, he enjoyed antiques and restoring tractors and gas pumps. He also like to converse with people and go out to eat with Bea. Elmer was a farm laborer and then a farmer after he and Bea married. Elmer managed the St. Charles Feed Mill for from 1957 - 1963. He raised purebred Chester White Hogs and Charolais Cattle. Elmer showed hogs at the state fair for 30 years. He was a former board member of the Winona County Pork Producers and the Winona County Fair Board; also inducted into the Winona County Fair Hall of Fame. He was involved in 4-H as a speaker and also involved in the FFA chapter. He was a member of the St. Charles United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his two sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Beatrice in 2014, and by six sisters and six brothers.
Services to celebrate Elmer's life will be 1PM Friday at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in St. Charles, led by funeral celebrant Jenny Hoff. Friends may call from noon until time of services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery at a later date. Please share a memory of Elmer at his on-line guestbook and view his video tribute, when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to; Ronald McDonald House, St. Charles Volunteer Fire Department, St. Charles Ambulance, St. Croix Hospice and Mayo Clinic pediatric oncology.
Elmer's family wishes to thank St Charles Assisted Living and Caledonia Care and Rehab for their excellent care given to Elmer.