Elfurt Blomenberg, 91, of Decatur, IN, passed away in his home on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014. He was born in Decatur on August 5, 1923, the youngest of August and Rosa (Koeneman) Blomenberg's five children, the others being Lorine (Busick), Dorothea (Holle), Helen (Haydon) and Herbert Blomenberg. Elfurt served in the Army for two years and seven months with the 1596th Engineer Corps. in the U.S., England and France during World War II where at the time of his discharge, he had attained the rank of Technical Sergeant. He married Adele Heckman on May 29, 1949 and they were blessed with six children. Elfurt was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church - Friedheim and served as elder, trustee, school board member and a member of various other boards. He was a farmer, inventor, and a carpenter; he also owned and operated a sawmill and did some custom sawing. Elfurt loved flying his Piper Cub and enjoyed giving plane rides. Among survivors are his wife, Adele; their six children: Vicki (Steven) Wentzel, of Napoleon, OH; Thomas (Michelle) Blomenberg of Decatur, IN; Peggy (Dave Lundberg) Blomenberg of Eau Claire, WI; Rev. Ralph (Jan) Blomenberg of Seymour, IN; Susan (Walt Biernacki) Blomenberg of Lady Lake, FL; and Timothy (Kristine) Blomenberg of Decatur, IN; 16 grandchildren: Renee Gregory, Brian Wentzel, Amy Aldeman, Emily Sovine, Jill Dougal, Sara Overbeck, Katie Gatalski, Elizabeth Eldredge, Jack Eldredge, Justin Blomenberg, Jennifer Rodgers, Janneane Blevins, Brian Moeller, Ben Moeller, Rebekah Tussing, and Andrew Blomenberg; and 15 great-grandchildren: Danka Wentzel, Adele Wentzel, Soren Wentzel, Jacob Aldeman, Andrew Aldeman, Emily Aldeman, Evan Sovine, Ella Sovine, Anniston Dougal, Charlotte Dougal, Ava Blomenberg, Ella Blomenberg, Ryan Rodgers, Easton Rodgers, and Rhett Rodgerswith three more great-grandchildren on the way. Elfurt was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, at Zion Lutheran Church - Friedheim with Rev. Daniel F. Dahling officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 5-8 p.m. Monday at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Preferred memorials are to Zion Lutheran Church - Friedheim or Lutheran Hour Ministries. Online condolences may be made at www.zwickjahn.com.
