Elaine Sundby

Elaine Sundby, 89, a resident of Rothsay, MN passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2020 at Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls. Elaine Beverly Ann Toso was born April 5, 1931 (Easter Sunday and also Grandpa Bernhard Johnson’s birthday) on the Toso family farm, Isabel Twp., rural Esmond, ND. She was the oldest child of 5, parents of I. Ernest and Addoris (Johnson) Toso, born upstairs in the northeast bedroom (the yellow room) of the 5-bedroom farmhouse. In those days, new mothers were in bed for a week, and climbing a stairway got to be too much for Grandma Josie to care for a new mother and baby. After that other babies were born in a downstairs bedroom. April 16, 1931, another baby was born there, Berdell Johnson, to Luella (Toso) and Clarence Johnson. Elaine was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church, May 17, 1931, by Rev. H.M. Aanestad and confirmed April 14, 1946, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Esmond, ND by Rev. Aanestad. She attended Isabel School, finishing high school by taking correspondence courses from N.D. Agricultural College in Fargo (now N.D.S.U.) graduating in 1949. She worked briefly at Carlson’s Bakery and then at Montgomery Ward, both Devils Lake, ND before her marriage to W. Rodney Sundby. They were married December 30, 1950 at the family farm so her beloved grandpa, Jens Toso, who was in failing health could be present. Officiating at the ceremony was Rev. Alexander Thompson. They lived briefly at Lawndale, MN and in September of 1951 moved to their present home in Rothsay. She was a member of New Life Lutheran Church. Elaine and Rodney were the parents of 4 sons: Roger, Paul, Jon, and Eric. She is preceded in death by husband Rodney, Nov. 2011; son Paul, January 2012; parents; and a sister La Verne Leier. Elaine is survived by sons: Roger, Rothsay, Jon, Vergas, Eric (Cindy) Vergas; 2 granddaughters: Bridget (Todd) Jackson, Amanda Sundby (Nick Carpenter); sister Janice (Gene) Reierson, Esmond, ND; brothers: Richard (Dorothy) Toso, Bothell, WA, Gary (Betty) Toso, Mancos, Colorado; brother-in-law James R. Leier; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 31, 2020 at New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay, with Pastor Randy Whitehead officiating. Burial will be at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Cemetery Rothsay, Minnesota. Due to Covid if you’re not comfortable going into the church you can come to the church parking lot and turn your radio to 101.3 FM and listen to the service in your car. Please keep the Sundby family in your thoughts and prayers. Elaine's Memorial Folder Front of Elaine's Memorial Folder