Elda Mae Tuchscherer, the daughter of John and Alma (Ranberg) Sveum was born on October 5, 1931 in Rugby, North Dakota.  She died at the age of 82 years on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby surrounded by her husband and children.

Elda Mae was raised in Rugby and graduated from Rugby High School in 1949.  During her high school years, she worked at the Rugby Theater and was a nurse’s aide at the Good Samaritan Hospital.  On December 26, 1949, she was united in marriage to Joseph Tuchscherer at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby.  To this union six children were born.  Even though she was a “city” gal, Elda Mae adjusted quickly to life on the Tuchscherer farm 5 miles north of York.  She actively participated in every aspect of farm life including milking cows, raising chickens, hauling grain, driving truck, the list goes on and on.   In 1991, after spending 42 years on the farm, Elda Mae once again returned to the “city” life in Rugby.  The retired farmwife now became even more enthusiastic about her love for bowling, including teaching physically challenged children to bowl. She spent many hours volunteering at the Heart of America Medical Center, Christian Mothers, and the Eagle’s Auxiliary.  She taught crochet lessons and participated in numerous craft clubs.  She loved gardening, fishing, and playing cards.  She was a member of the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby and a former member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Knox.  On November 12, 2012 following a stroke, she moved into the Haaland Estates Assisted Living and in April 2013 she spent several months at the Heart of America Care Center before moving to Southview “LaDonna’s”  Assisted Living in September of 2013.  She was blessed to have many wonderful caregivers.

Elda Mae is survived by her husband of 64 years, Joe of Rugby; children, Jerry (Janice) of Coffeyville, KS, Marsha (Bill) Davis of Springfield, MO, Mary (Kraig) Haugen of Rugby, Jim (Jody) of Rugby, Tim (Sheri) of York; a son-in-law, Arnold Sommerfeld of West Fargo; seven grandsons; three granddaughters, seven great grandchildren; siblings, Lorraine Ekren of Rugby, Archie (Eunice) Sveum of Jamestown, and Marlene (Bob) Gilje of Rolette; sisters-in-law, Doris Sveum of Rugby and Lolly Sveum of Highland, CA; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by a daughter, Beverly Sommerfeld (April 8, 2001); brothers, Merlin Sveum and Rolland Sveum; brother-in-law, Roland Ekren; and her parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 31^st at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby with spring burial in the church cemetery.  Msgr. Brian Donahue, Celebrant.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby.  There will be no Reviewal in the church.

Rosary & Vigil Prayers will begin at 7 p.m. on Sunday in the funeral home.