Wilhelmina Mathilda Ellerbrake, age 101, of Old Enterprise Farms, O'Fallon Township, Illinois, passed away Saturday morning, September 9, 2006.

Wilhelmina was born to Reinhold Heinrich and Mathilda Pauline, nee Koch, Gluth, on August 6, 1905, in Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated in 1925 from Maryland State Normal Teacher's College. She taught briefly in California public schools prior to her marriage.

She married Reverned George Ellerbrake on June 20, 1931, in Long Beach, California. Mrs. Ellerbrake was a devoted and supportive wife to her husband and was dedicated to her role as pastor's wife. She was very active in the National Women's Guild of the Evangelical and Reformed Church, serving as an officer. She traveled extensively on behalf of the church and its mission. Rev. Ellerbrake retired from pastoring full-time in Oklahoma in 1967; they relocated to Mehlville, Missouri, where Rev. Ellerbrake served as Associate Pastor at St John's Evangelical United Church of Christ, under the Rev. Dr. Herbert Wintermeyer, until 1969, where George passed away. Wilhelmina continued to live in Afton, Missouri, until 1992, when she moved to Old Enterprise Farms. There she was the oldest of five generations living on the family farm. As the Matriarch, she was surrounded by her son, grandchildren and great grandchildren; she was the focal point and center of attention at family gatherings.

She is survived by her son, the Rev. Dr. Richard P. Ellerbrake and his wife, Johann L.; grandson, Christopher T., who was instrumental in caring for his grandmother, Stephen A. and his wife, Kelly; great grandchildren, Trevor and wife, Brittany; Morgan, Jake, and Reid; and one great-great grandson, Draven; nephew James MacDonald of Ohio; niece, Kate Stanfield of Collinsville; great nieces Deborah Stanfield of Collinsville, and Patti Smith of California and much extended family.

Mrs. Ellerbrake was preceded in death by her parents, four siblings, a granddaughter, Laura in infancy, in 1967; and a grandson, David, in 1981.

Mrs. Ellerbrake generously donated her body as an Anatomical Gift to the St Louis University School of Medicine.

Memorial Donations: The David P. Ellerbrake Memorial Scholarship, St. Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 S. Grand, St. Louis, MO, 63104 or the charity of your choice.

Memorial Services: 11:30 am, Sunday, September 17, 2006 at O'Fallon United Church of Christ, with Rev. Dr. Martha Thierheimer officiating.