Elaine was blessed with baking and woodworking skills. She always enjoyed baking, with Zwieback and cream pies being her specialty. Her children and grandchildren were blessed to be able to work next to her, building wood projects, making crafts, sewing and learning baking skills. She used these skills to make many items to sell at the Nebraska MCC Sale. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school for 30 years at Bethesda Mennonite Church.
She is survived by her children: Diane (Dennis) Thieszen of Henderson, NE; Joyce (Craig) Klooster of Waverly, NE; and Lowell (Ronda) Duerksen of Henderson, NE. Her grandchildren included Andrea (Matthew) Unruh of Hesston, KS, Steve (Molly) Thieszen of Henderson, NE, Danelle (Ryan) Vogt of Olathe, KS, Joshua (Leah) Klooster of Kansas City, MO, Jacob Klooster of Seward, NE, Brieanna (Daniel) Martwick of Neola, IA, Garrett (Danielle) Klooster of Seward, NE, Braelyn Klooster of Waverly, NE and Adilynn Duerksen of Henderson, NE and eleven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Vernelle (Gerald) Friesen of Henderson and sister-in-law Elvera Epp also of Henderson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and her brother Willis Epp.
Due to the expected forecast of wind chills -15 to -30 degrees and strong winds, the graveside service will be held at 9:45 a.m., Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Metz Mortuary in Henderson, followed by a Memorial service at 10:30 a.m., at the Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson. Visitation will be from 1-9 p.m., Monday at the mortuary in Henderson, with her family greeting family and friends from 6-8 p.m. that same evening. Memorials may be directed to Nebraska MCC sale or Bethesda Mennonite Church. The service will be webcast live on the church’s website at http://bethesdamc.org.