Elda Zeeb

With family by her side, Elda Helena (Huber) Zeeb, of Menno, ran to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to be with Him in eternal life the morning of Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the Menno Olivet Care Center.

Elda was born November 9, 1932, and her parents, William G. Huber, Jr. and Helena (Sedlezky) Huber, presented her for baptism on December 4, 1932, with Rev. Christian W. Heuer officiating. She confirmed her faith on April 14, 1946, at which point Rev. Edward Bischoff gave her the life Bible verse of Psalm 37:5 – “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it.”

Just before Elda turned seven, William was called to his eternal reward. Since Helena and Elda were alone, Helena’s brother Edwin Sedlezky, his wife Leona, and their son Edwin, Jr. moved in to help on the farm. They were her second family. Elda relished fishing with her uncle and younger cousin. She learned to throw the rod and spear the fish, and she also lugged the gunny sack of fish to the automobile. The Sedlezkys have vivid memories of Elda. She and Emil had moved just three miles west of the Sedlezkys in 1966. On Elda’s drive to work at First National Bank in Freeman, the Sedlezky crew could hear her roar past their farm. After Uncle Eddie passed, she and Emil faithfully visited Aunt Leona every Thursday evening until her passing.

Two staples of Elda’s driving were her lead foot and trusty flyswatter. Many passengers witnessed Elda defend her windshield with gusto, jousting a pesky fly while keeping the “pedal to the metal.” She told her daughter Peggy that if she ever had an automobile accident, it would be because she was hunting down a fly.

Later in life, Elda enjoyed antiquing and took a liking to the North Pole Christmas village decorations. This gave Emil the opportunity to demonstrate his carpentry skills when he built a set to display the village in their outdoor patio year-round.

Elda was gifted with the musical ability of playing by ear. This allowed her to play what she would refer to as honky tonk. Helena recognized Elda’s musical talent and had her take piano lessons so she would be able to play by reading notes as well. Elda enjoyed the keyboard so much that she obtained an organ and mastered it. But her heart lay with the piano, and on Resurrection Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas, Elda would play an assortment of favorite hymns while her family sang along. She greatly enjoyed Joann Castle of the Lawerence Welk show, and when Joann performed at the Sioux Falls Arena, Elda took the family to enjoy the talent.

The summer after Elda completed eighth grade at Huber School, some of the Menno School District board visited her and encouraged her to continue her education. To appease them, she agreed. When school started in the fall, her mother had to firmly remind her that she had given them her word. Elda rode the bus to high school each day, and had her noon meal with her Grandpa and Grandma Sedlezky, who lived just a block west of the present day school. Though she started high school reluctantly, Elda worked hard and graduated as Salutatorian of her class.

On April 13, 1951, Pastor Bischoff officiated when Elda and Emil pledged themselves to lifelong faithfulness in marriage. In August of 1952, Emil and Elda were blessed with the birth of twin daughters, Patsy and Peggy. Then, in July of 1957, their son Dan was born. Elda stayed at home for several years, managing the household and raising the children. During these years, Elda had a large garden from which she canned for winter sustenance. She raised layers and cleaned countless eggs to sell to the local dealers. She also had many geese around the yard – noisier than a dog! One year she loaded 500 onto the goose truck. Where she housed them is a mystery. In the summer of 1965, Elda left her job as a stay-at-home wife, and Montgomery Ward gained a valuable employee for their catalog department. Then, in the fall of 1966, she was excited to get “the call” from Milt Mehlhaf of First National Bank in Freeman. She worked there until her retirement in 1997.

As her children grew and married, another dimension was added to Elda’s life - being a grandmother. Elda formed numerous fond memories with her grandkids. As a bank teller, she’d dispense Sixlets, a hard-shelled candy with a delightfully sweet core – an apt depiction of herself. Her mischievous grin betrayed her occasional scolding and was often accompanied by a Nutter Butter or bowl of her famous homemade ice cream. Elda enjoyed indulging her family at the Bonanza buffet in Yankton, renting a VCR for a special movie night, or including a few enigmatic $2 bills in birthday cards. She’d also solicit help digging potatoes from the garden or mowing the yard with one of the Snapper Comets. Playing pinochle and UNO No Mercy (drawing cards until you can play) exhibited her competitive spirit and elicited laughter and joy. On more than one occasion she’d playfully remind Emil that he’d traded or played the wrong card.

Speaking of no mercy, all the grandchildren recall her trusty rifle behind the door. If her faithful dog Rosie raised the alarm, Elda would pop up from the table, reach behind the door, and dispatch the pesky vermin before nonchalantly rejoining supper and passing the Fleischkuekle. In fact, when she had cataract surgery, she decided to fix her right eye first, since that was her sighting eye.

Christmas was always special. Each year, the grandkids would race to the tree to sleuth where she’d hung their respective ornaments. A grand assortment of candies would adorn the kitchen table, and of course, she granted everyone a tour of her beloved Christmas city. Much to the delight of her overnight guests, chili was ready upon arrival, and the aroma of Grandma’s oven-fresh caramel rolls rendered the alarm clock unnecessary. Gift-opening was always special, but the real joy was gathering around Elda’s organ and singing carols. She’d be amused to know that her grandkids have assumed many of these traditions.

As Elda aged, she struggled navigating stairs due to loss of muscle strength, and the decision was made to build a new house in Menno and leave her home farm. Emil and Elda moved into their new home in September of 2011. A few short years later, Elda lost her lifelong companion. With Emil, who was an extrovert, no longer by her side, Elda found herself content at home. She enjoyed doing Bible-based crossword puzzles, watching the Game Show Network, and chatting with guests about local news. Her love of music persisted, and she left a note telling her family which songs she wanted sung at her memorial.

Elda is survived by twin daughters Patsy and husband Earl Schnabel (Menno, SD) and Peggy and husband Steven Mettler (Menno, SD); granddaughter Kristen (Friesen) and husband Jeremy Baker (St. Bonifacius, MN) with great-grandchildren Abby (Ryan), Kieren, Kailynn, and great-great-grandson Theodore; grandson Tim Friesen and wife Erica (Shakopee, MN) with great-grandchildren Chloe, Josiah, Madison, Levi; grandson Ryan Friesen and wife Stephanie (Rice, MN) with great-grandchildren Logan, Allison; and granddaughter Jennifer Friesen (South St Paul, MN); grandson Joel Mettler and wife Sarah (Jacksonville, FL); grandson Jason Mettler and wife Amanda (Longview, TX) with great-grandchildren Kayla, Joseph, Jacob, Brenna, Nathan, and great-great-grandson Jeremiah; and granddaughter Danette (Mettler) and husband Jason Besley (Grandville, MI) with great-grandchildren Kaitlyn, Ariella, Matayah, Elisha; granddaughter Michelle (Zeeb) and husband Logan Lehr (Freeman, SD) with great-grandsons Flynn, August, Otto; bonus granddaughters Jamie (Herrboldt) Manning and husband Justin Haper (Sioux Falls, SD) with great-grandchildren Hana, Caleb; and Debra (Herrboldt) and husband Daniel Mehlhaff (Mitchell, SD) with great-grandchildren Macy, Elly, Myles.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Emil Zeeb, son Daniel Zeeb, son-in-law Donald Friesen, and daughter-in-law Jan (Rademacher) Zeeb.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Grace Lutheran Church or/and Menno Museum.

Elda’s memorial service will be 2:00 pm, Friday, November 28, 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church in Menno with Rev. Susan Fox officiating. Burial will be at the Menno Cemetery at approximately 3:00 pm with a luncheon to follow at the church. Luncheon dessert will feature the homemade ice cream she provided for the Menno Museum for many years.