Elvera Prentiss

January 16, 1938 – September 24, 2026

Elvera celebrated her heavenly birthday on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Elvera was born Elvira Martha Anna Amanda Hennekens in Bremerhaven, Germany on January 16, 1938. Elvera lost not only grandparents during World War II but also her best friend, and many times worried that the rest of the family would not live through it.

At twenty years old, she received a Visa to come to the United States, arriving in Los Angeles in May of 1958. She was very proud of her American citizenship. She was briefly married to Hans Boehnke, who she knew from Germany, before finding and marrying Warren Prentiss, the love of her life. Elvera and Warren married on June 21, 1967, and were together for 47 joyful and loving years together until Warren’s passing in 2014.

While Elvera was in Germany, she began studies to be a dental technician, but upon coming to the United States studied accounting, and worked for Von’s as a bookkeeper for eleven years until 1971 when she quit to become a full-time mother to Warren’s three children Linda, Lisa and Alan.

After buying property to build on in the mountains in the 1970s, they chose instead to buy an existing home alongside Lewis Creek with hopes of eventually expanding their home, a dream that was never fulfilled.

They joined Oakhurst Lutheran Church, becoming very active members. Elvera helped and led multiple committees over the years, including the Women’s Ministry Group, overseeing the Altar Guild for several years, and as a Church Shepard was assigned a group of church members that she would check on, keep informed of church events and help whenever possible. She was also the unofficial head of the church kitchen, cooking and supervising the meals for events such as the Octoberfest, Lent and Advent suppers, Teas for Women’s gatherings, as well as community dinners held at the church. Elvera was respected and dearly loved.

Elvera’s life will be celebrated at Oakhurst Lutheran Church on Saturday, November 14th at 11:00 AM with an inurnment of her ashes and light luncheon following.