Visitation Wednesday, October 24, 2007 after 3:00 p.m. Ohde Funeral Home, Manning
Funeral Services Thursday, October 25, 2007 2:00 PM United Methodist Church Manning, Iowa
Reverend Lanette L. Plambeck, Officiating
Casket Bearers: Brian Zimmerman, Wesley Bartelson, Fred Schmidt, Darin Ferry, Dennis H. Forke, Scott Grage, Scott Hargens
Honorary Casket Bearers: Stan Ewoldt, Bob Cast, Milton Sinow, Dale Bueltel, Roger Sinow, Dan Muhlbauer, Jeff Muhlbauer
Interment Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa

Elsie Catherine Sophia, daughter of Robert and Katharina (Petersen) Sinow, was born August 12, 1913, on the family farm north of Manning, Iowa. She attended rural school Ewoldt No. 8 and then Manning High School, graduating in 1930. Elsie stayed at home to care for her younger siblings, Lillian and Henry.

On September 19, 1934, Elsie was united in marriage with Louie John Peter Hargens at the Presbyterian Manse in Manning. Seven children were born to this union. Elsie and Louie farmed together for 64 years around Manning. She enjoyed the farm life: raising chickens, ducks and geese, baking pies and cookies, and sewing. Elsie always tended a huge garden and canned most of her produce. She loved polka music and dancing, and spending time with her family and neighbors. She was very proud of her grandchildren. Elsie was a member of the United Methodist Church in Manning.

Following Louie's death in 1999, Elsie moved to an apartment in Manning. Due to her failing health she became a resident of the Manning Plaza Nursing Home in November of 2006. Elsie died there on Monday, October 22, 2007, at the age of 94 years, 2 months, and 10 days.

Preceding Elsie in death are her parents; husband; daughter Marion Bartelson (Bill); grandchildren Enid Bartelson and Jenny Lynn Forke; siblings: Marie Worley (Ray); Enid Sinow; Roy Sinow; Raymond Sinow; and Henry Sinow (Arlene); and brother-in-law Walter Hargens.

Elsie is survived by her six children: Marlene Zimmerman (Leo) of Griswold; Alan Hargens of California; Arden Hargens (Gloria) of Manning; Lila Forke (Dennis L.) of Fairfax; Jerry Hargens (Deborah) of Glidden; Lori Voege (Darrell) of Aurora, Nebraska; 30 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; sisters Helen Hansen of Stanton, North Dakota, and Lillian Eischeid (Joseph) of Carroll; sister-in-law Ruth Hargens of Spirit Lake; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.