Elaine Fannie (Wichern) Reller

Elaine Fannie Reller, age 89, of Detroit Lakes, MN, formerly of Waubun, MN, passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at Essentia Health-Oak Crossing Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes. A visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023, at Strawberry Lake Mennonite Church, with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes, with a time of gathering and rosary beginning at 10:00 am.

Elaine was born on December 17, 1933, to Fred and Mabel (Slininger) Wichern in Norman County, Minnesota. At the age of six, she and the family moved to Maple Grove Township, to their farm, which remains in the family today. She attended country school there with the majority at Kay’s Corner, from second to the eight grades. She was united in marriage to Norbert Reller on July 19, 1952, and to the union six children were born: Evelyn, Janet, Janice, Kenneth, Mina, and Alvin. Elaine stayed home raising the children until 1964 when she went to work for Swift. In 1992, she went to work for central market in the deli and worked there until her retirement in 2011.

Elaine was known for her cooking and baking. She was a woman of many talents who enjoyed crafts, quilting, needlework, and crocheting. She was an avid gardener and even won a Beautification Award. Elaine loved working with ceramics and had her own kiln and enjoyed spending time painting her creations. She also enjoyed travel, and once commented that she was able to go places she never thought she’d ever go, including Alaska, Hawaii, and two trips to the Grand Canyon. Elaine was devout in her faith at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in White Earth for many years before joining Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

She is survived by three daughters: Janet Reller, Janice (Daniel) Carlson, and Mina Reller all of Detroit Lakes, MN; two sons, Kenneth Reller, and Alvin Reller both of Waubun, MN; a brother, Bert Wichern of Waubun, MN; three grandchildren, Jason Carlson, Mathew (Lisa) Carlson, and Morgan Haverkamp; two great-grandchildren, Rowen and Aurora Carlson; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Mabel Wichern; her husband, Norbert; a daughter, Evelyn; sisters, Elenora (Joe) Belland, and Mina Wichern; brothers, Earl (Irene), Clarence (Helen), and Raymond (Shirley); and a sister-in-law, Vicki Wichern.