Elda Charvat

Elda Charvat, 97, Mandan, died June 8, 2022, surrounded by her children.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at First Lutheran Church, Mandan, with Pastor Phil Leer officiating.  Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery, south of Mandan.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Prayer Service and time of sharing at 7 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Elda was born May 19, 1925, in Mandan to William and Mary (Mernitz) Friedrich, the youngest of three daughters.  She attended Custer Rural School #2 and graduated from Mandan High School in 1943.  Elda worked as a teller at First National Bank in Mandan and attended Bismarck Junior College.  On October 6, 1946, she married John Charvat Jr.  They made their home, farmed, and raised their family on her parents’ homestead south of Mandan.  Elda was a hard-working farm wife and enjoyed milking cows and hauling bales.  Retiring in 1976, they moved to a home nearby where Elda enjoyed tending to her large garden and flower beds and going fishing with John.  In 1978, they started wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona, where they were pioneers of the Lost Dutchman Resort, and spent 35 winters.  She was an excellent cook, baker, and canner, sharing many.  First and foremost, Elda always put her family first and loved hosting Christmas for many years as her family grew.  She loved playing cards, crochet, and knitting, making doilies for many family members and friends.  Elda was a ZCBJ Bohemian Hall Lodge 147 member for over 50 years, also serving as secretary for many years, a 50-year member of the Mandan Eagles, serving in numerous offices and working in the kitchen, a leader of Farmers Union, and 4-H leader for 31 years.  In 2017, Elda was honored to be a bridesmaid in a granddaughters wedding.  John passed away in 2004, he and Elda shared 58 years together.  Elda continued living in their home until February 2021 when she moved to a Mandan care center.  Elda was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother to three generations.  Her legacy of love lives on through her children and their families.

Blessed to have shared in her life are her six children, Margie (Gene) Muth, Diane (Marc) Schmidt, Dale (Deb) Charvat, John (Tana) Charvat, Ken Charvat, and Elaine (Larry) Laubner, all of Mandan; step-daughter, LaVerne Robertson, Green Pond, NJ; 13 grandchildren, Gene (Tammy) Muth and Tim (Melissa) Muth; Bryan Fleck (Joe Lorentzen), Shawn (Troy) Steiner, Dustin (Carla) Fleck, and Josh (Monica) Fleck; Phobe (Jason) Frye and Tosha (Scott) Kunrath; Joe (Lana) Charvat, Jessie (Brad) Seideman, and Jasin Charvat; and Natalie (Ben) Tokach and Ashlee (Reid) Fiorio; 3 step-grandchildren, Calvin Schmidt, Cody (Diane) Schmidt, and Will McElveen; 24 great-grandchildren, Addison Muth, Maddox Muth; Spencer and Abbigail Steiner, Katie and Warren Fleck, Berekley and Easton Fleck; Kohen, Blakely, and Quinn Frye and Camden and Hartley Kunrath; Darian and Devon Charvat, Chance Klatt (Taylor Schwede), Makenzie, KeyRa, and Alaina Charvat; Bentley, Briar, and Gentry Tokach and Hadley and Annie Fiorio; 6 step-great-grandchildren, Jace Gloria; Kaiya Schmidt, Claire and Adam Schmidt; and Jordan and Abby Seideman; 1 great-great-grandchild, Emilia Klatt; and one sister-in-law, Marie Bauer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Elda was preceded in death by her husband, John in 2004; her parents; siblings, Gladys (Bill) Pope, Eleanor (Charles) Kottsick, and an infant brother; and step-son-in-law, Bill Robertson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church of Mandan, St. John’s Cemetery, or ZCBJ Lodge 147.