A Celebration of Life Service for Elsbeth Showman, age 92, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Windom, will be held Monday, January 15th at 11:00 AM at the Windom Methodist Church in Windom, with Pastor Mike McInnis officiating. Burial will follow at Delafield Township Cemetery in rural Windom.

A time of visitation and gathering will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday, from 10:00-11:00 AM.

On January 9th, 2024, Elsbeth Martha Showman passed away peacefully in her sleep, at the age of 92 years.

Born in Breslau, Germany, Elsbeth lived a life that many could not imagine. Her childhood was challenging, growing up in Germany during the war. She often said how strong her mother was, having raised 6 children at that time. What she never said was how her mother had passed that strength onto her.

Elsbeth met her husband, Russell Showman, in Germany after the war. Elsbeth and Russell moved to a farm in Windom, MN, where they made a home and had 3 children, Larry, Mary and Ingeborg (Inge). Elsbeth often joked that early in their marriage, she would have gone home (back to Germany), if Russell would have given her the money. Their love was special, and they withstood the trials they endured. Russell still joked that she was his "Babydoll" even into their elderly years together. After his passing, Inge took over caring for his Babydoll.

Elsbeth worked many years at Toro in Windom and was a homemaker. She was proud to have saved enough money to bring some of her family from Germany over to visit their farm. Russell and Elsbeth shared 52 years of marriage. After Russell passed away, Elsbeth continued to live in Windom until 2021, when she moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to be near her daughter Inge, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who called her "The Old Grandma."

All who knew her would say, Elsbeth was a survivor. She was strong and often joked lightheartedly with those around her. Elsbeth was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend of everyone.

She is survived by, and will be dearly missed, by her daughter, Inge Richter, her two grandchildren Joseph Richter and Elizabeth (David) Johnson, and two great grandchildren, Aiden and Emery Johnson, all from the Sioux Falls area; her beloved Fuchtler Family from Germany; and several nieces and nephews.

Elsbeth is preceded in death by her parents, Hermann and Elsbeth (Pufke) Fuchtler; her children Larry and Mary Showman; and her sisters and brother.

Blessed be the memory of Elsbeth Martha Showman.