Elvera Gardels

Elvera Lorraine Bohnsack Gardels, age 88, of Carroll, died Thursday, February 14, 2008, at the Carroll Health Center from stroke related complications. She had been living at the Health Center since March of 2007. The oldest daughter of John Frederick and Anna (Hansen) Bohnsack, Elvera was born August 21, 1919, near Aspinwall, Iowa. After her father died in 1930, she moved from Manning to Carroll with her mother and three younger sisters. Her mother then married Ernest Lee Toyne, who was instrumental in her raising. On March 25, 1934, she was confirmed at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church by Pastor Albert J. Mueller. She graduated from Carroll High School in 1939 and from Madam Kennedy’s Beauty School in 1941. On September 28, 1942, Elvera was united in marriage with Ramon Arthur “Jack” Gardels at the First Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Jack was a musician from West Point, Nebraska who played the saxophone. The Gardels had one son Dean Ramon Gardels and settled in Carroll. After working for other beauty operators, Elvera started the Kut and Kurl beauty salon on December 26, 1956, at her home on Salinger Avenue. She retired after 44 years on January 19, 2001. Elvera was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and a long time volunteer at the Carroll Health Center and the New Hope Store. She was also the historian for the Carroll High School Alumni and Friends Association for many years. She always enjoyed fashion and liked keeping up to date with the latest styles. Her hobbies included the appreciation of jazz and swing music and the practice of many arts and crafts, ranging from knitting to photography to home decoration. Survivors include her son Dean Ramon Gardels and wife Andrea of Marydel, MD; two grandsons: James Dean Gardels and wife Brenda of Marydel, DE and Jason Scott Gardels of Dover, DE; a great-grandson Brett James Gardels of Marydel, DE; two sisters Maureen E. Loots of Des Moines and Lavilla J. Taylor of Las Vegas, NV; a sister-in-law Violetta M. Soll of Sun City, AZ; and loving nieces and nephews. Elvera was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jack on January 28, 1976; her sister Geraldine D. Moorman on May 2, 1985; and her stepbrothers Gilbert and Glenn Toyne. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Carroll. Reverend David Anthony will officiate. Organist will be Jan Hoff. Casket bearers are Alan Loots, Jim Gardels, Chance Thelen and Clint Schmidt. Friends may call at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll after 5:00 P.M. on Monday where there will be a prayer service held at 7:00 P.M. Burial will be in the Carroll City Cemetery. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com. The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church or St. Anthony Regional Hospice in lieu of flowers.