Elna G. Bragg

Celebration of Life Services for Elna G. Bragg will be conducted from the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Friday, August 9, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Murray Jones officiating.  Interment will be held in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege following the services.

Elna Grace (Anderson) Bragg, 87 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at Holdrege Memorial Homes.  Up until the moment she went to be with the Lord, she was surrounded by her family and care providers who loved her dearly.

Elna was born on the family farm seven miles northeast of Funk, in Phelps County, the youngest of five children to Ephraim Theodore "E.T." Anderson and Clara Amelia (Nelson) Anderson.  Elna had many memories of the tenacious work that accompanied life on the farm.  She often talked about the 500 chickens that were raised and having to eat fried chicken for every meal; the long days her father tended crops; and the numerous chores that come with farm life.

She received her primary education from the Prairie Rose School District #11 through the eighth grade, and then completed her high school education at Axtell, Nebraska, graduating with the Axtell High School class of 1949.

After graduating high school, Elna worked at Noble Drug as a sales clerk at the soda fountain and at Claussen's Shoe Store in Holdrege.  She then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota with her sister, Muriel to attend the Northwestern Bible College under then college president, Billy Graham.  Elna enjoyed meeting Mr. Graham, and talked quite highly of hearing him speak and how she enjoyed singing in the choir at college.  Every chance she could, throughout the remainder of her years, she loved to watch Billy Graham on television and encouraged those around her to "tune in" as well.  While living in Minneapolis she worked at an Art Correspondence School as a typist and was a nanny for four children.  Elna lived in Minneapolis for three years before returning to Holdrege.

Following her education, on October 4, 1955, Elna was united in marriage to Paul Hilmer Bragg at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, and to this union two children were born:  Marilyn and Gordon.  The family made their home in Holdrege, where Elna spent her life-time caring for the needs of others.  Her caring demeanor, and soft spoken personality aided in her nursing ability as she worked at Christian Homes Care Community, Holdrege Memorial Homes, and as an in-home caregiver.  She was a helpful and kind individual, and enjoyed providing home care for Dr. Jones, Irene Kimmons, and several others, spanning more than twenty years of home health care.

Elna's faith in the Lord was strong, and this is what she was widely known for by those around her; often listening to and watching "her Christian channel" on radio and television.  Even though she called it "her channel", she was more than willing to share and discuss what she had heard with others.  Knowing Christ as her personal Lord and Savior has brought Elna great comfort and relief in her life.  Having knowledge that she will see Jesus and be reunited with her mother and father has given her great comfort, excitement, and enthusiasm in entering her heavenly home.

Elna was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister.  She loved to read; and although never learning to read music she was a beautiful piano player.  Elna was a member of the Emmaus Church, north of Funk, and later a member of the Trinity Evangelical Free Church.  She was known for arriving early on Sunday to be able to give and receive hugs with friends and relatives.

Elna was preceded in death by her parents; step-mother, Nina (Nelson) Anderson; her ex-husband, Paul; grandson, Thaddeus Louthan; great-grandson, Michael James Smith; two sisters: Ruth Peterson and her husband, Henry; and Muriel Kardell; and two brothers:  Kenneth Anderson and his wife, Jeanne; and Bruce Anderson and his wife, Laurene.

Elna leaves to celebrate her life; her daughter, Marilyn Louthan of Holdrege; son, Gordon Bragg and his wife, Robin of Brighton, Colorado; son-in-law, Randy Louthan of Loomis, Nebraska; four grandchildren:  Letisha Lange and her husband, Brad of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; Samantha Louthan and significant other, Kyle Hort of Axtell; and Michayla Bragg and Joshua Bragg both of Brighton; four great-grandchildren:  Koeyn Louthan; Sophia and Griffin Lange; and Saige Hort; one brother-in-law, Kenneth Kardell of Norfolk, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  This is not "Goodbye" to Elna, it truly is "Until We Meet Again".

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Elna's honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of arrangements.