Elroy W. Mumme

Elroy Mumme of rural St. James (South Branch), MN died on July 1, 2025 at the age of 89 years.

Born in 1935 to William and Marie (nee Wentzel) Mumme, Elroy was the youngest of their five children. He attended St. John's Lutheran School of South Branch and later graduated from St. James High School.

Except his two years of service in the United States Navy at the close of the Korean War, Elroy farmed for the length of his working life. Laboring with his brother and brother-in-law, he assumed responsibility for the Mumme homestead, where he milked cows, raised hogs, sold seed corn, and produced corn and soybeans. From crops in the field to kids at his table, Elroy loved watching things grow.

In 1976 he married Betty (nee Lenius) Mumme of Poynette, WI. The two were blessed with three children: Jonathan (Rachel) Mumme of Hillsdale, MI, Daniel (Dana) Mumme of Gig Harbor, WA, and Johanna (James) Sowers of Fenton, MO. He loved dearly his nine grandchildren: Miranda, Liza, Lucian, and Silas (children of Jonathan and Rachel), Ethan and Evelyn (children of Daniel and Dana), Thomas, Adelaide, and William (children of Johanna and James). Elroy has been a member of St. John's Lutheran Church of South Branch, was in the South Branch Men’s Choir, and held several congregational offices over the years.

Elroy is survived by his wife Betty, his three children and their spouses and grandchildren, his brother (Edgar Mumme of Waterville, MN), his sister and brother-in-law (Betty and Martin Henke of St. James, MN), and brother-in-law (Marcus Lenius of Poynette, WI), and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Sunday July 6th at Zaharia funeral home in Truman, MN from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and one hour prior to services at church. With thanksgiving for the mercies shown to and through him, his funeral will take place at St. John Lutheran Church of South branch on Monday July 7th at 11 a.m., after which his body will be buried in confident expectation of his resurrection on the day of Christ's coming.

Memorial gifts will be offered to St. John Lutheran Church 41486 760th Ave, St. James, MN 56081, Martin Luther High School 315 Martin Luther Dr. Northrop, MN 56075, or donor’s choice.