Funeral services for Elna Louise Joens were held Tuesday, June 20, 1989 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning, Iowa. Pastor Robert Riggert officiated with Carlys Stribe as organist. Interment was in the Manning City Cemetery with Kenneth Keat, Duane Sporrer, Wayne Groteluschen, Bill Groteluschen, Lester Joens and Paul Joens serving as casketbearers.

Elna, daughter of Louis and Anna (Ahrens) Groteluschen, was born October 17, 1897 in Gray, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lincoln Township, Audubon County. In May of 1915 she graduated from Gray High School and taught school for five years in Audubon County. On March 9, 1921 Elna was united in marriage with William Joens. They farmed south of Manning until their retirement in 1948 when they moved to Manning. Elna's husband died on August 8, 1983. Elna was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and its ladies' organizations.

Due to failing health Elna became a resident of the Manning Plaza Nursing Home in 1988. She died on Sunday, June 18, 1989 at Manning General Hospital at the age of 91 years, 8 months, and 1 day.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; by four brothers, Arnold in infancy, Carl, Ted, and Herbert; and by a sister, Claudia.

Elna is survived by two sons: Orland and his wife, Barbara, of Phoenix, Arizona and Lyle and his wife, Donna, of Audubon; by three grandchildren: Jennifer Brenner, of Phoenix, Arizona; Keith Joens and his wife Connie, of Athens, Greece; and Kathleen Carlton, of Chicago, Illinois; by three great-grandchildren: Emily Brenner, of Phoenix, Arizona, and Carrie Joens and Christopher Joens, both of Athens, Greece; by two sisters, Rosa Keat, of Manning and Ruth Groteluschen, of Batavia, Illinois; by a brother, Walter Groteluschen, of Columbus, Nebraska; and by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.