Elva Bernholtz, 93 of Carroll, died early Monday morning, November 11, 2024 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 16, 2024 at St. Lawrence Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Music will be by Kathy Halbur, Kathleen Macke and Dawn Wood. Lector for the Funeral Mass will be Elise Soyer. Gift Bearers will be Sydney Julich, Avalyse Julich, and Emma Wood. Casket Bearers will be Brian Renze, Brad Renze, Matt Julich, Mike Julich, Eric Bernholtz, and Andrew Bernholtz. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.
Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday morning prior to the Funeral Mass from 10-10:45 a.m.
Memorials may be left at the church for a later designation.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Elva’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born May 22, 1931 in Carroll, Iowa, Elva was the daughter of Frank and Mary (Janning), Lambertz. She spent a few early years in Maple River before moving to Carroll. She graduated from St. Angela Academy in Carroll.
Elva was united in marriage to Lyle Bernholtz on July 25, 1952, in Yankton, S.D. They made their home together for 46 years in Carroll, Iowa.
Elva was not only a homemaker, but worked at various jobs i.e. Davis Paint Store, Green Meadows Cafe, and Bernholtz Bros. Locker. She also worked for three photography studios — Paige & Paige Studios, Vanderheiden Studios, and Wandel’s Studios. Before color film was widely used, she would spend many hours at the kitchen table tinting with oil paint the black and white photos enhancing their appearance and bringing them to life. She enjoyed reading, cross-stitching, and crocheting many afghans for family, friends, and baby afghans for St. Anthony Auxiliary.
One of Elva’s favorite pastimes was bowling. For many years she belonged to three different bowling leagues. She won numerous awards and held one of the highest averages in all three leagues.
Left to honor her memory are her children: Sherry (Jerry) Renze; Jerry (Dianne) Bernholtz; Cindy Bernholtz; Sandy (Tom) Julich; Jim Bernholtz; Scott (special friend Peggy) Bernholtz; 9 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; her sisters: Evelyn (Dan) Bowser, Cathy Christiansen, and Mary Lechtenberg; her sisters-in-law: Rosemary Wiederin, Mary Bernholtz, Barb Lambertz, and a very close family friend Janean Haukap.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lyle in 1998; her parents; her brothers: Art (Alice) Lambertz, Leo (Lois) Lambertz, and Joe Lambertz; her brothers-in-law, Vern Lechtenberg, Virgil Christensen, Merle (Loretta) Bernholtz, Dale Bernholtz, and John Wiederin.
