Loretta Elfrink

HOLYOKE, Mass. -- Loretta Louise Elfrink, 87, of Holyoke, Mass., formerly of Leopold, Mo., passed into eternal life Jan. 24, 2012, at the Daughters of the Heart of Mary retirement home in Holyoke.

She was born Aug. 7, 1924, near Laflin, Mo., the daughter of Fred W. and Louise Ann Anger Elfrink.

Loretta grew up in the Leopold community, but at an early age began work for the U.S. Postal Service. She retired as a postal superintendent for the Lemay Branch. For 48 years she was a member of the religious community Daughters of the Heart of Mary. She chose to be cared for in her last days at the community's retirement home in Holyoke, Mass.

Survivors include a sister, Therese Elfrink of Leopold; a brother, Justin Elfrink of Jackson; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by brothers Terry, Paul, Raymond, Donald and Freddie Joe Elfrink; and sisters Eileen Trankle, Agnes Trankle and Rosalin Elfrink.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill, Mo. A parish prayer service will be held at 7 p.m.

A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. John Catholic Church in Leopold with Fr. Ricky Valleroy, her spiritual adviser, as officiator. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given in her memory to the Washington University Parkinsons Research Center in St. Louis.