Elaine Deman died peacefully at the Woodbury Health Care Center at the age of 92 on March 26, 2023, in Woodbury, Minn. She is predeceased by parents, Arthur and Helen Epling, brothers Butch and Bud Epling, sisters-in-law Lila Epling and Ardith Gill, brothers-in-law Don Bacon and Ken Gill, and husband Les Deman. She is survived by daughter, Vicki Aulert, granddaughter Alison, sisters-in-law Betty Bacon and Teri Epling and many nieces and nephews.
Elaine was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on March 20, 1931. The family lived in Elk Point, S.D., and Anoka, Minn., before moving to Decatur in 1946 where her family operated the Epling Cafe. She met the love of her life, Les, while attending Decatur High School. She graduated in 1948, and started working at the Epling Cafe. Elaine and Les married on Nov. 4, 1951. Les began working for Williams Pipeline, and due to his job, they moved to many places including Iowa City, Paradise, Kansas City, and Minneapolis. They finally landed in Des Plaines, Ill., and attended Trinity Lutheran Church. Elaine worked at several factories as an assembler, and eventually was employed for 34 years by Littelfuse as a supervisor until her retirement.
In her spare time, she loved watching Cubs baseball games and playing Bingo. She enjoyed traveling throughout the states on family vacations and during retirement, visiting all 50 states. One of her most memorable trips was to Alaska, but she also enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas and Laughlin.
In 2001, Les and Elaine moved to Elk River, Minn., to be closer to their daughter and granddaughter. They joined Central Lutheran Church in Elk River and made many friends. Elaine and Les were married for 69 years and are now reunited.
Memorial Service, Friday, June 9, 2023, 7 p.m., at Pelan Funeral Services Lyons.
Memorial Visitation, Friday, June 9, 6 to 7 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Services Lyons.
Burial, Saturday, June 10, 2023, 11 a.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur, with lunch to follow at the home of Wayne and Marjean Hightree.
Memorials directed to Central Lutheran Church in Elk River, Minnesota or the Decatur Museum in Decatur.
Arrangements by Pelan Funeral Services. www.pelanfuneralservices.com
