Elna was born October 17, 1912 at Wallace, Michigan to the late Nels and Ellen (Anderson) Brander. She married Carl E. Sellen, he preceded her in death on February 17, 1971. She married Charles Patz September 29, 1978, he preceded her in death in 1983.
Elna was a member of Community Bible Church, Lena for many years. She was an avid reader and writer, having written many poems, some which were published.
Survivors include four daughters, Sharon (Don) Hershey, Pepin, WI; Carol (Paul) Nielson, Oconomowoc; Lois (William) Aukofer, Rubicon, WI; Marianne (Robert) Gauthier, Peshtigo; four sons, Roger (Rose) Sellen, Norfolk, NE; Albert (Shirley) Sellen, Phoenix, AZ; Timothy (Cheryl) Sellen, Green Bay; William (Kathy) Sellen, Gillett; two sisters, Judith Piccoli, Wheeling, WV; Doris Freiburger, Flaresville, TX; a daughter-in-law, Nona Ruth Sellen, Oconto Falls; 35 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Donald Sellen; two brothers, Robert and Henry Brander; and a sister, Sylvia Ives.
Friends called at the Gallagher Funeral Home, Oconto from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Funeral service was 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with Pastor Kevin Mepsted officiating. Burial was at Evergreen Cemetery.