Minerva I Elam

Minerva I. Elam, age 90, of Mankato and formerly of Cedar Rapids, IA, died August 14, 2007 at Mankato House Health Care Center.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday at Bethel Baptist Church with Rev. David Banfield officiating. Visitation will be from 12 noon until the time of service on Monday at the church. Burial will be on Wednesday at Cedar Memorial Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, IA. Memorials are preferred to the Bethel Baptist Church Building Fund or to an organization of the donor's choice. Mankato Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Minerva was born February 2, 1917 in Lincoln Township, Blue Earth County to Henry L. and Jennie (Johnson) Johnson. Minerva graduated from Lake Crystal High School, Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis and studied advanced piano at McPhail College in Minneapolis. She served as church secretary in Elmore, MN, Eau Claire, WI, and Cedar Rapids, IA. On September 1, 1951, she married E. Lester Elam in Mankato. They had lived in Des Moines, IA, Mountain Home, AK, and Marion, IA prior to their return to Cedar Rapids, IA.

After Lester died in January 1991, Minerva later moved to Mankato to be near her sister, Dora. Minerva was an active church member during her life and most recently was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Mankato. Minerva enjoyed listening to music, reading and doing word find puzzles.

Minerva is survived by her sister, Dora Johnson of North Mankato; several cousins, including, Edward and Marie Legg of Lake Crystal; step-daughter-in-law, Vivian Elam of Cedar Rapids, IA; and many other relatives. Minerva was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.