Juliana Lutes Elfrink

Juliana Lutes Elfrink age 95 died July 25th, 2021 at her home. She was born on the family farm on the 17th of February, 1926 in Leopold MO, the second child and daughter of Martin and JoHannah (Vandeven) Tenholder. Education always important to her family, she and her sister boarded with relatives and started Catholic high school in Carlyle, IL. After a year, she transferred and later graduated from St Mary High (Notre Dame) in Cape Girardeau in 1943. After graduation, she attended St Louis University. Juliana tried to join the military to serve in the medical field during WWII but was rejected for health reasons and told she would never bear children. Seven decades and seven sons later, she proved the Army wrong. Over her lifetime, she held many paying jobs including one room school teacher at Seiler School in Leopold, armament plant worker in St Louis, caregiver for a mother with Multiple Sclerosis and her young children, hat factory seamstress in Lutesville, and Head Cook for over 25 years with the Woodland School district. An avid quilter and seamstress, there was nothing she couldn't sew or craft that should couldn't accomplish. She supported and was active in many clubs and charities through the years including the Bollinger County Business and Professional Women's club, St Ann's Sodality, Legion of Mary, Leopold quilting ladies, and the Parish Council of Catholic Women. She served for many years on the board of the Senior Citizen's Center. Throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God and was a faithful member of St John's Catholic Church. She was an Associate Member of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, a consecrated religious order of women, for over 30 years. As an Associate and while still able, she delivered Meals-on-Wheels to the community. To her final days, she continued to pray for the elderly, infirm, and any in need who asked. She married Earl Lutes on May 4th, 1948 at St John's Catholic Church in Leopold. They had seven sons Mike (Kenna), Ron (Henrietta), Gary (Sharon), Gerald, Tim (Tara), Jeff (Susan), and Jamie (Tracie). After 54 years of marriage, Earl passed away in 2001. In 2003 Julie married Tom Elfrink. With this marriage she gained treasured step-daughters Glenda (Bill) Landewee, Nancy (Glen) Landewee, Pam (Ronnie) Wesbecher, and Kim (Gary) Vandeven. In addition to all of her children and Tom's family, she is survived by 17 grandchildren, 32 great-grands, 13 great-great-grands, and a much loved sister-in-law, Corrinne Tenholder. Juliana was predeceased by both of her husbands, her parents, her sisters Leola Tenholder, Agatha DeBrock, Rosie Elfrink, Mary Francis Vandeven, and brother Joe Tenholder. Juliana was the last survivor of both of her grandparent's almost 60 grandchildren. Visitation will be on Wed, 28 July at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill from 4-8pm with Parish Prayers and Rosary at 7PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be joyfully celebrated at 11AM at St John Catholic Church in Leopold with Fr David Coon officiating. Her sons will carry her to her final resting place at Bollinger County Memorial Park in Marble Hill.

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Juliana Lutes Elfrink

February 17, 1926 - July 25, 2021