Funeral services for Eldren W. Minks, age 79, of Albert Lea, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. The Rev. Kent Thompson will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Visitation is 5-8 p.m. today, Sept. 10, and one hour prior to the services at the chapel.

Eldren died Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, at Albert Lea Medical Center.

Eldren William Minks was born July 16, 1924, to William Charles and Grace (Thompson) Minks in Danville Township, Minn. He graduated from Minnesota Lake High School and received his bachelor of science degree and his master’s degree from Mankato State College. Eldren taught in Alden from 1958 to 1959 before coming to Southwest Junior High School where he retired as the head of the English department.

On June 13, 1959, he was united in marriage to Nancy Mae Garbe-Allen in San Francisco, Calif. For 50 years, Eldren was a minister at the Apostolic Faith Church in Minnesota Lake. He was a member of the Albert Lea Garden Club, Freeborn County Historical Society, and was very active in the American Hosta Society and the American Daylily Association. He especially enjoyed raising hostas and daylilies.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy of Albert Lea; sons: Michael of Albert Lea, and Mark and his wife Bobbie of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sister, Doris and her husband Harold Bolinger of Albert Lea; brother, Henry Minks and his wife Helen of Minnesota Lake; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Eldren was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials are prefered to the Eldren Minks Memorial fund – Apostolic Faith Church, Minnesota Lake, MN 56068.