Helen Elaine Loehr

Funeral services for Helen ‘Elaine’ Loehr of Morris, MN will be Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, with Pastor Katrina Hoffman officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Morris.

Helen “Elaine” Hatlestad Loehr lived a life that was as full as it was fearless. Born June 16, 1930, in Minnesota to Basil and Leona Hatlestad, Elaine quickly proved that a classroom education isn’t the only way to be smart. Though her schooling ended after the 8th grade, her wisdom, wit, and practicality carried her far often farther than most folks with a wall full of diplomas.

At the age of 20, she married Milton Loehr, and together they built a life of hard work, adventure, and laughter. They raised two children, Patricia Ann and Michael Milton, in St. Paul, where Elaine worked at The American Can Company and Milton at Ford. When they weren’t busy working or raising kids, they were farming, because apparently, Elaine didn’t believe in idle hands. And truth be told, she loved the land, even when it demanded more than most would give.

Elaine was not your average homemaker. Alongside crocheting and card art, she was an avid hunter bagging countless deer and an impressive seven bears. She could out-hunt most men, out-fish most guides (walleye and northern were her specialties), and still out-dance just about anyone come Saturday night. Retirement didn’t slow her down one bit: winters were spent two-stepping in Mission, Texas, while summers meant long, sunny days on Lake Winnie, grandkids in tow.

Those who knew Elaine will remember her for more than her adventures. She was smart and sassy, loyal and loving, witty and wise. She had a gift for telling it like it was whether you wanted to hear it or not and somehow, you were always better for it. She loved deeply, lived fully, and left no doubt about where you stood with her.

Elaine died Friday, September 12, 2025, at the Courage Cottage in Morris, MN; she was 95 years old. 

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Milton, her daughter Patricia, her sister Betty (Junior) Gutzman, and her brothers Bud and Clifford (Linda) Hatlestad. She is survived by her son Michael (Judy), her granddaughters, Mellissa (Fady) Boctor, Aimee (Gianmarco) Russo, Patricia (Chris) Sherrill, her eleven beautiful great-grandchildren, her sister Gladys (Jim) Koonce, sisters-in-law Linda Hatlestad (Cliff), Carol Loehr (Leonard), and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Elaine lived 95 years with grit, grace, and just the right dash of sass. She’ll be remembered as the woman who could crochet you a blanket, shoot you a buck, fry you a fish, and still beat you on the dance floor all in the same week. Her family and friends will miss her fiercely, but we know she’s dancing again with Milt, probably still telling him how to do it right.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS THE FAMILY REQUESTS DONATIONS TO THE COURAGE COTTAGE IN MORRIS.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of the arrangements for Elaine.