10/05/2024
In Memory of Elna Anderson
Elna Anderson: A Staple At Bethlehem
By: Karen Anderson Sedlacek and Winnie Stromberg
If you grew up at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, especially between 1963 and 1998, you knew Elna Anderson.
If you ever needed anything at Bethlehem Lutheran Church during that time, you called Elna Anderson. She was indeed a staple, a legion, etc., at Bethlehem!
Elna has been a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church her entire life! Born on June 26, 1928, Elna was the third oldest of seven girls.
She lived in Joliet, IL, her entire life.
Elna’s calling was being a secretary, starting at Adam Growth Company. In January 1963, Pastor Oscarson reached out a second time to offer her a job as Bethlehem’s secretary, and she finally accepted. On February 26, 1963, Elna officially took the reigns of Bethlehem Lutheran Church’s secretary from Phyllis Holmquist, and the rest is history! In 1973, Pastor Robert “Bob” Peterson became Pastor of Bethlehem and Elna worked side by side with him until they both retired in 1998.
Bethlehem was definitely “Home” to Elna every day. She worked hard to maintain accurate records and bulletins, striving to make sure everything was perfect, and it usually was! Remember, there were no computers then, so everything was done on a typewriter or stencils and then ran off on a mimeograph machine. She also had to use an addressograph machine with metal nameplates to prepare the mailings to members. Not only was Elna the secretary, but she was also the master mechanic at Bethlehem, working to maintain and service the sometimes temperamental equipment used to do her job. Anything she felt was not completed for the day; she brought it home to finish at night.
Elna had volunteers from the church help her with some of the work, but she was the coordinator. She would make sure the flowers for the altar were ordered and placed in the appropriate spot each Sunday, ordered the wine for communion, made sure candles for Christmas Eve service ordered and ready to go, ordered the janitor supplies, and so much more! She remembers having a “wine tasting meeting” with Pastor Oscarson and Jack Carlson to pick the appropriate wine for communion. They chose Manischewitz, which we still use at Bethlehem today!
As conscientious as Elna was in everything she did, she did make mistakes, and members of the congregation made sure she knew. One time in the Christmas bulletin, she printed: Hark the Herald Angels Sin instead of Hark the Herald Angels Sing. There was one church member who never let her forget that one, even though unintentional.
One funny story that Elna remembers is when Pastor Bob and she went to lunch. While they were eating, a policeman came into the restaurant and escorted Pastor Bob outside. She was so relieved to see him return. The police questioned him about a man fitting his description who had stolen a bicycle. He was able to prove it was not him and return to lunch!
Many transits would ring the doorbell to come into the church; Elna knew everyone’s name. One time a transient came up behind her in the workroom and put his hand on her shoulder.
Pastor Oscarson escorted him out of the building. Elna said that was probably one of the scariest times at church. She also said it was a little unsettling to walk through the dark church at 4:30 PM each day to make sure all the doors were locked and when she was by herself.
She was also involved in many activities at church. Choir, Altar Guild, LCW, Quilting, and many more, showing the same conscientiousness as she volunteered as she did in her work.
Elna and Pastor Bob decided to retire at the same time, February 28, 1998. That was 35 years of service for the church she loved and who loved her! Elna loved everything about her work at Bethlehem. Most of all, she loved all of the friends she has made over the years.
Elna is now a resident at Sunny Hill Nursing Home of Will County, 421 Doris Ave, Joliet, IL 60433, Room 419. She enjoys visitors and can also have FaceTime visits, call 815-727-8711 to make an appointment.
Thank you, Elna.
You are truly a blessing!
