Elverna R. (“Huffy” Hoffmockel) Byrnes, 87

Elverna R. (“Huffy” Hoffmockel) Byrnes, 87, lifelong resident of Superior, passed away Thursday morning, Feb. 7, 2008, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, with her family at her side.

She was born April 15, 1920, to Charles and Myrtle Hoffmockel, the eldest of 13 children. She graduated from Borea High School in 1936 and worked as a waitress all of her life, most recently at Cronstrom’s Supper Club, until her retirement at age 70. She also owned a drive-in in Pequot Lakes, Minn., serving up her own good cooking.

In retirement she traveled to Europe, Russia, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands. With the St. Francis Travel Club, she traveled across the United States. She was an active member of the St. Francis Altar Society, never missing an opportunity to help. She was a member of the World War I Veterans’ Victory Lodge, played bingo with the East End Senior Citizens and was active in her bunco club. She was a past member of the garden club and won awards and prizes for her flower arrangements. Elverna was a lifetime member of the SS Meteor Maritime Society.

Elverna was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents, Charles and Myrtle; her brother, Lawrence; her sister, Gerry; her son, Duane; and son-in-law, Don Nelson.

Family was very important to Elverna, and she will be sadly missed by those family members who survive her. Her brothers, Elwood, Murwyn and her sister, Rose Belanger; her children, Robert (Dianne) Byrnes, Rosanne Byrnes and Carol (Don) Nelson; her grandchildren, Bobbie (Scott) Salveson, Barry (Lonna) Bagwell, Cindy (Curt) Mashuga, Jody (Mike) Hermanson, Jenny Byrnes, Alan (Nicole) Bagwell, Joe Byrnes, Abby Byrnes, and Lance Albrecht; her great-grandchildren, Owen, Nathan and Collin Salveson, Alexandria and Samantha Bagwell, Tyler Hermanson, and Ryan and Danielle Bagwell; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews will cherish the memories Elverna has given them.

EIverna loved to play Yahtzee and share meals with her special friend and neighbor, Nancy Spiering, and her friend Rose Mc Lean. She enjoyed walking her schnauzer, Scooter, and tending her beautiful flower garden. She had a full and joyful life, and will be missed by all who knew her.

Visitation begins with a Scripture service at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10 in the Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home in Superior. Funeral services will be held Monday, Feb. 11 at St. Francis Xavier Church, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian burial. The Rev. James Tobolski will officiate. Pallbearers will be Scott Salveson, Owen Salveson, Barry Bagwell, Alan Bagwell, Joe Byrnes and Curt Mashuga. Burial will be at St. Francis Cemetery.

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