Elfriede Gerstandt was born April 5, 1928 in Paullina, Iowa, the daughter of Elsie (Brandt) and Herman Ploen. She continued her education and graduated from Iowa State Teacher's College.
On February 19, 1950, Elfriede was united in marriage to Albert Gerstandt in Paullina. They lived in Paullina and Peterson before moving to Spirit Lake, Iowa in 1969. She attended the United Methodist Church and volunteered with the hospital auxiliary. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting and baking.
Elfriede passed away May 31, 2010 at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, Iowa at eighty-two years of age.
She is survived by her husband, Albert; children, Nancy (Dean) Beckman, Neal Gerstandt and Todd (Julie) Gerstandt; brother, Arnold Ploen; grandchildren, Jarrod (Cari) Wallace and Malia Wallace; great-grandchildren, Allison Wallace and Tyler Wallace.
Elfriede was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Martha Ploen and a daughter, Judy Wallace.