We are participaing in the 61 for 61 walk in memory of our beloved Elaine.

She was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma of the uterus following surgery at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, South Dakota in February 2008. This is a rare and aggressive form of cancer. It was later learned the cancer had spread to her cervix and bladder.

Upon diagnosis, Elaine and her husband Percy made the decision to have Elaine undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, North Dakota. She began those treatments in April 2008.

Elaine faced another setback shortly after her treatments began, when she learned her mother Martha passed away at the age of 97. Although she didn't feel well at the time, Elaine was able to make it to her mother's funeral and burial.

After completing her radiation and chemo treatments, Elaine was able to return home to Sisseton to enjoy a portion of her summer with Percy, her husband of 53 years.

On Labor Day, Elaine fell ill, and was transported via ambulance to MeritCare Hospital in Fargo.

She eventually developed pneumonia and a lung infection, and spent two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit, breathing with the assistance of a ventilator.

Elaine was able to recover enough where she was able to return to the Oncology floor of MeritCare.

Elaine was an avid Minnesota Twins fan. She loved to follow the team by watching their games on TV, or listening to them on the radio. One of her great final memories was a Twins party held in her hospital room a few weeks before she died. The menu included peanuts and cracker jack, and of course, the Twins game on TV. Many of Elaine's family members were there to share that special day with her.

As Elaine's condition worsened in her final days, a decision was made to move her to a hospice-type setting at MeritCare's Palliative Care Unit in Fargo.

That's where she spent her final days, resting peacefully, with her family and the Lord by her side.

She was called to heaven on Monday October 6th, 2008, after passing away during the early morning hours that day.

Elaine's funeral was held at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Sisseton on October 10th. Many of the friends she held so dear to her heart were able to come to her funeral that day to mourn her  passing, and to remember the wonderful person she was. Elaine was buried at the Sisseton Cemetery, wrapped in her favorite Minnesota Twins fleece blanket.

There is not a day that goes by that Elaine's many friends and family don't think of her, and wish she was still here to share in some good conversation over a cup of coffee.

She was hard working, honest and common sense smart.

She never took any shortcuts in life. Elaine worked hard for everything she had, and what she had was a simple life surrounded by people who loved and cared for her deeply.

We are walking in memory of her, and for the millions of people who've fought the same cancer fight she did with such toughness and dignity.

On behalf of Elaine's family, we say a sincere "thank you" for your donation, which will go to the Roger Maris Cancer Center.