Elithe "Tootie" Ione (Richardson) Firzlaff, 95, of Plainview, MN passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Hospital – Rochester, Saint Marys Campus. She was born March 26, 1927, in Elgin, MN to Thomas W. and Florence (Dewitz) Richardson. Elithe (Tootie) graduated from Elgin High School in 1945 and on November 30, 1946, was united in marriage to the love of her life Ralph F. Firzlaff at the Presbyterian Church in Plainview.

Tootie worked at the movie theater in Elgin and at the Telephone Company there as a switchboard operator. She then began her 32 year career with Montgomery Wards in Rochester holding several different job titles before retiring. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Community Presbyterian Church. She and Ralph enjoyed Sunday drives, fishing, dining out and Bingo.

She is survived by her daughter, Patti (William) Staudacher of Minneiska; grandchildren, Cory Staudacher of Plainview, Jason (Dawn) Staudacher of Chandler, AZ, Angela (Brian) Dondlinger of Simi Valley, CA, and Derek (Tiffany) Staudacher of Kellogg; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Brandon (Autumn) and Christian Staudacher, Vada and Will Dondlinger, Brooklyn, Brielle, and Charlie Staudacher; great-great-grandson Kai; her sister, Ruthann Dessner; sister-in-law, Gaynel Richardson; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 74 years, Ralph, sister, Norma Deming, brothers Herbert, Lyle, Thomas Jr., and Glenn Richardson, brothers-in-law Ralph Deming and Frederick Dessner; and sisters-in-law Ruby and Nelly Richardson.

No services are planned at this time.