Elsa H. Salesman age 90 of Argyle, Wisconsin, passed away Sunday, March 7, 2010 at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Monroe, WI. She was born February 20, 1920 in rural Cambridge Township, Minnesota the daughter of Otto H. and Frieda R. (Reimers) Hohrmann. Elsa was the 6th of 10 children born to Otto and Frieda. As a young girl growing up on the family farm in southwest Minnesota, Elsa developed a fondness for dairy cattle; this love of cows was with her throughout her life. In 1943 she took a job in Illinois to become the first female County Milk Tester. She also worked as herdsman for the prominent Ravenglen Farms where she set 4 state milk records by hand milking their elite herd three times a day. It was while working in Illinois that she met her future husband.
She married Lawrence A. Salesman on March 19, 1949 in Waukegan, IL. He preceded her in death on August 3, 1996. Lawrence and Elsa farmed in Lake County, IL until 1961 when they moved to Green County, WI. Together with their children, they raised purebred Registered Holsteins. They received numerous awards and recognitions throughout the years with the high quality cattle they raised. They also hosted several foreign exchange students to work on their farm, coming from countries such as Switzerland, Japan, Germany, France, and Chile. They retired in 1988 with the dispersal of their dairy herd.
Elsa was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, neighbor, and friend. Aside from her cows, she loved gardening, canning, and baking. She was a member of the Wisconsin and National Holstein Breeders Association.
Surviving are her children, Patsy (Richard) Gideon of Rolla, MO, James Salesman (partner Gene Penner) of Moline, IL, John (Joan) Salesman of Argyle, WI, Linda Jensen of St. Paul, MN, and Richard (Jenette) Pranger of Merrill, WI; grandchildren, Cindy (Bob) VanNatta of Platteville, WI, Aaron Salesman of Viroqua, WI, Lara Salesman of Colorado, and Rachael Jensen of St. Paul, MN; great-grandchildren, Elisa & Justin VanNatta of Platteville, WI; and sister, Florence Volkert of Dennison, MN. She was also preceded in death by her Parents; 4 Sisters; 4 Brothers; and son-in-law, James Jensen.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at SHRINER-HAGER-GOHLKE FUNERAL HOME in Monroe, WI.
Private graveside service and burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe with Pastor John Tabaka officiating.
An Elsa H. Salesman memorial fund is being established.
She married Lawrence A. Salesman on March 19, 1949 in Waukegan, IL. He preceded her in death on August 3, 1996. Lawrence and Elsa farmed in Lake County, IL until 1961 when they moved to Green County, WI. Together with their children, they raised purebred Registered Holsteins. They received numerous awards and recognitions throughout the years with the high quality cattle they raised. They also hosted several foreign exchange students to work on their farm, coming from countries such as Switzerland, Japan, Germany, France, and Chile. They retired in 1988 with the dispersal of their dairy herd.
Elsa was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, neighbor, and friend. Aside from her cows, she loved gardening, canning, and baking. She was a member of the Wisconsin and National Holstein Breeders Association.
Surviving are her children, Patsy (Richard) Gideon of Rolla, MO, James Salesman (partner Gene Penner) of Moline, IL, John (Joan) Salesman of Argyle, WI, Linda Jensen of St. Paul, MN, and Richard (Jenette) Pranger of Merrill, WI; grandchildren, Cindy (Bob) VanNatta of Platteville, WI, Aaron Salesman of Viroqua, WI, Lara Salesman of Colorado, and Rachael Jensen of St. Paul, MN; great-grandchildren, Elisa & Justin VanNatta of Platteville, WI; and sister, Florence Volkert of Dennison, MN. She was also preceded in death by her Parents; 4 Sisters; 4 Brothers; and son-in-law, James Jensen.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at SHRINER-HAGER-GOHLKE FUNERAL HOME in Monroe, WI.
Private graveside service and burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe with Pastor John Tabaka officiating.
An Elsa H. Salesman memorial fund is being established.