Mrs. Elnora Fitchett, age 87, of Newell, Iowa died Monday, March 13, 2006 at Loring Hospital in Sac City, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Newell, with Reverend David Schumann officiating.  Burial will be in the Newell Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Newell on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., where the family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Elnora Josephine Marie Fitchett was born on August 2, 1918 to William and Helene (Hammer) Just in Douglas Township in Sac County, Iowa.  She lived with her family on a farm southeast of Newell; and attended Sac County Rural School and Newell Consolidated School.  Elnora was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Newell.  She remained a lifelong and faithful member, serving as a Bible School teacher and as member of the United Methodist Women.  Elnora was also an active member of the Newell Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodge in Newell for 60 years.

On December 28, 1936, Elnora was united in marriage to LeRoy Thomas Fitchett at the Methodist Parsonage in Storm Lake.  Their union was blessed with two children:  Beverly Kay and Barbara Mae.  They made their home on a farm southeast of Newell.

Elnora was a proud member of the Newell community.  She baked and decorated wedding cakes for 40 years, and ran the E&L Café in Newell for 8 years.  Elnora and her husband, LeRoy, also had a catering business for 20 years.  She enjoyed baking cakes for her children and grandchildren. 

Her family was very special to her and she loved to have them visit. Her family’s annual summer reunion was always a source of happiness for Elnora. For the past four years Elnora took great pleasure getting together monthly with all her sisters. She enjoyed the many visits by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Elnora is survived by her husband, LeRoy Fitchett of Newell; two daughters:  Beverly Morris of Milford and Barbara Helman of Peterson; ten grandchildren:  Don Wise of Sioux City, Linda (David) Nase of Milford, Nancy (Jason) Peterson of Sutherland, Brian (Ann) Wise of Newell, Jennifer (Dick) Bennett of Rembrandt, Alicia (Matthew) McDaneld of El Dorado, Kansas, Sherry (Jason) Langschwager of Wayne, Nebraska, Penny (Keith) Elder of Orange City, Rachel Helman of Ocala, Florida, and Sarah (Wesley) Purvis of Duluth, Minnesota; and 18 great-grandchildren:  Jacob, Andrew, Daniel, and Heather Nase, Christopher Wise, Aaron Jansen, Cole and Corinne Wise, Paige and Marlayna Bennett, Emmaline, Dominic, and Xavier McDaneld, Samantha and Zaylor Langschwager, Luke and Dawson Elder, and Dana Purvis; one brother:  Merlin (Becky) Just of Tenaha, Texas; five sisters:  Nelma Rix of Fonda, Donna (Leroy) Dirks of Fonda, Verna Mae (Dale) Miller of Newell, Myrna (Harry) Johnson of Fonda, and Helene Johnson of Lake City; as well as many other family members and a host of friends.

Elnora was preceded in death by her parents, William and Helene Just; four grandchildren:  Diane Wise, Julie Wise, Luke Helman, and Angela Helman; one son-in-law:  David Helman; two brothers:  Norvin Just and Loren Just; and two brothers-in-law:  Edward Rix and Allen Johnson; and one sister-in-law, Violet Just.