Elvira S. Dobratz, 101, of Redfield, SD died Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at Golden Living Center in Redfield. Her funeral will be Monday, May 14, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Redfield. Reverend Brian Wasmoen will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-8:00 p.m. with the family present 6-7:00 p.m at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com


Elvira was born April 28, 1906 in Crandon, SD to Herman and Sophie (Schroeder) Schwichtenberg. She graduated from Redfield High School in 1924. Elvira married Carl Dobratz and they had three sons. She was a well known seamstress and upholsterer. Upon her retirement, she joined the Foster Grandparent Program and spent twenty-three years working with at South Dakota Developmental Center-Redfield.

One of her life's highlights was the opportunity to represent South Dakota in the Foster Grandparent Program, which included a dinner sponsored by Nancy Reagan in the White House.

Elvira is survived by two sons: Lloyd (Penny) Dobratz of Mesa, AZ; and Bill (Jeanette) of Spokane, WA; her daughter-in-law Belva Dobratz of Sioux Falls, SD; and her sister Eva Edbloom of Minneapolis, MN. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Carl in 1970, her son Robert, four brothers and one sister.