Elsie Elizabeth Klitzke, age 83 formerly of Soudan, died Friday, September 18, 2009 in the Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation Center in Duluth. She was born July 8, 1926 in Soudan, the daughter of Oscar and Anna (Gustafson) Korpi and was a graduate of Tower-Soudan High School. Elsie lived in Milwaukee, WI for many years, and worked for the Briggs & Stratton Co. She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Soudan and enjoyed art and crafts, handwork, and knitting.

Elsie is survived by siblings: Muriel Lamken of Tower, Grace (George) Peliska of Virginia, Ann (Donald) Wilson of Ft. Worth, TX and John (Marion) Korpi of Soudan; son-in-law: Jim Liabraaten of Omaha, NE; grandchildren: Erik Liabraaten of Omaha; Kristen (David Ferguson) Liabraaten and daughter Kaley, of Omaha; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Warren Klitzke; daughter: Sally Liabraaten in 2003; and brother: Stafford Korpi.

Funeral Service will be held Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Pastor Berhanu W. Alengo will officiate. Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Tower.

Memorials are preferred and may be directed to St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Family services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. To share personal remembrances of Elsie online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Thursday September 24, 2009 , 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Soudan

Thursday September 24, 2009 , 2:00 p.m. at Lakeview Cemetery