Elgene Marie Van Riper, 83, of Owatonna died Monday, May 5, 2014, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.

She was born Sept. 7, 1930, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Theodore and Margaret (Howell) Brand. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1949. Elgene worked for Produce State Bank in Hollandale.

She married Warren Van Riper on April 25, 1953, at Zion Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. They made their home in Owatonna. Elgene worked as an audit manager for Sears in Owatonna for 15 years.

In 1969, they moved to Rochester. In 1973, they moved to their lake home on Lake Tetonka until they returned to Owatonna in 1993.

Elgene was very kindhearted and giving. She would always be the first to bring food or help with any work that needed to be done. Even after her death, she continued giving and became an eye donor. She loved to sew, cook and enjoyed keeping house.

Elgene and Warren traveled to every state, except Alaska. They also square danced and ballroom danced. She also enjoyed golfing with her friends. Elgene attended Civic Music concerts and Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. She was a member of Home and Hobby Club, Women’s Club and Trinity Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her husband, Warren Van Riper, of Owatonna; sisters Janice (and Keith) Klinksiek of Elmore and Joyce (and Norman) Ruble of Missoula, Mont.; brothers-in-law Darwin Knudtson of Moline, Ill., and John (and Irene) Van Riper of Glenville; sisters-in-law Apryl Brand of Yumah, Ariz., Reedie Jacobs of Albert Lea, Pat (and Bob) Fjelbrotten of Albert Lea and Joan (and Tennis) Loverink of Remer; goddaughter, Sonja Hanson, of Blue Earth; many nieces, nephews and extended family; and special traveling companions, nephew and niece, Rodger and Karen Christenson, of Albert Lea.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Rita Knudtson; brother, Ted Brand, and nephew, David Knudtson.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Michaelson Funeral Home and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Peter Strommen officiating.

Interment will be in the Hollandale Cemetery in Hollandale. Memorials are preferred to the Trinity Lutheran Church building fund or donor’s choice.