Elsie May Drebenstedt

Surrounded by her family, Elsie May Drebenstedt, 86, of Davenport went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 6, 2011. Memorial service will be held Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. at The Runge Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. Cremation rites will be accorded. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to the Kahl Home. Private inurnment will be held at later date at National Cemetery, Rock Island. Online condolences can be made at www.therungemortuary.com.

Elsie was born Feb 4, 1925 in Mediapolis, IA the daughter of Arvid and Anna (Johnson) Nelson. She was united in marriage to Fred Drebenstedt on November 16, 1946 in Burlington, IA, and raised a loving family of five children. She was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Davenport.

She retired from Bendix at age 62 and then enjoyed many wonderful years traveling, crafting, making halloween costumes and personalized birthday cakes for her family. Elsie thrived on "hug power" and will forever be loved, missed and remembered.

More than anything Elsie loved spending time with her family. Every moment spent with them was a moment to treasure. She was a "mom" to many more than her own children as she cared for so many people. Elsie had the gift of making everyone she met feel that they were special.

Those left to honor her memory include her children Rueben (Donna), Barba (Bryan), John (Anita) Drebenstedt, Sonia McCleary, Tara (Terry) Herum; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, parents, two sisters, a brother, and a special cousin, Marilyn.

The family would like to thank the Genesis Medical staff and the Kahl Home staff for all their care, and Dr. Charles Elmendorf for many years of his care for Elsie.

"I love you the most."