Elsie (Menken) Vieregge, age 97, of Burnsville MN, formerly of Windom, passed away on July 21, 2026.

Elsie Elizabeth Vieregge was born on August 5, 1928 to Tebbo H. and Etta (Eucken) Menken at their farm in Jeffers MN.  She was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church, Jeffers MN. Elsie attended Jeffers Public School and she took part in the girls' basketball team.  She graduated high school in 1946.

On November 7, 1953, Elsie and Russell Vieregge were married at the Methodist Church in Windom MN just one year after they started dating. Elsie was active in her church, teaching Sunday School.  She was an Eastern Star member of the Windom Chapter #169.  She was a legal secretary to Milton Juhnke Esq, a clerk at the Cottonwood County Auditor & Treasurer's office.  When Elsie and Russ moved to Bentonville AR, Elsie spent her retirement years working at Walmart. Elsie and Russ eventually moved back to Minnesota landing in Mankato to enjoy being closer to family and seeing friends from Windom.  Elsie then moved to Apple Valley MN after Russ's passing and most recently lived in Burnsville with Karen and her husband Tim.

Elsie enjoyed knitting, playing bridge, golfing, bird watching and gardening. And miraculously was a breast cancer survivor for 51 years.  Her smile was infectious to all she met. Her advice to healthy living was "Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.  If you don't like the way your life looks, change the way you look at your life!"

She lived a long healthy life knowing Jesus and she went to be with her heavenly Father on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at the age of 97 years old.

Elsie is survived by her sister Anne (Donald) Roefer as well as her daughters Paula (Keith) Kmetz, Karen (Tim) Ling.  Grandchildren Memphis Kieffer, Elizabeth (Thomas) Goff, Keegan, Mason, Morgan Ling, Great-grandchildren Harper and Carsen Kieffer and many nieces and nephews.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Vieregge (January 25, 2014), parents Tebbo and Etta, brothers John, Tebbo, Richard, Edwin and George; and three sisters Elta (Mrs William) Barker, Esther (Mrs Robert) Rasmussen and Hilda (Mrs John) Brand.

A celebration of life will be held at the White Funeral Home in Burnsville on August 5 at 2:00 pm with visitation at 1:00 pm.  A burial service will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, consider a monetary donation to the Mayo Clinic online at www.mayoclinic.org or memorial gifts at Stems & Vines www.stemsandvines.com

Blessed be the memory of Elsie Elizabeth Vieregge.