Our beloved Elaine was called to be with her Lord and Savior on July 15, 2025. She was born on December 21, 1947 in Billings, Montana to Ryanalt(Ryanie) and Helen Kaufman. She was raised on a dairy farm with her younger brother, Larry, where she learned the value of a strong work ethic, discipline, and how to serve, which she carried out throughout her entire life. Elaine attended Progressive School, Pioneer Progressive School, and then Senior High. During her senior year, she met her perfect soul mate, Myles, at the Billings Fair. It was true love, and shortly after high school on February 4, 1967, they would begin the journey of a bountiful, Faith-based marriage with a strong devotion to family that would be surrounded by treasured friends. Shortly after they were married, they were blessed with their daughter, Kari, and three years later, Lance.
Elaine and Myles built a family and they did it right. They transformed their house into a home for any of their families to drop by for a visit, or to enjoy holidays where everyone and anyone are welcome. With a spontaneous "drop-in", you would typically find mom working in her kitchen or the yard where she always assured a safe, calm place to share words of wisdom, or just to chat. Her commitment to her family also traveled well, and her grandkids became a lifestyle. She and Myles chased grandkids to activities and sporting events, and rarely, if ever, missed an opportunity to support them.
Elaine knew no strangers. No matter whether it was a barista at her favorite coffee hut, a person standing on the other side of a fuel pump, or someone standing in the lobby of a hotel, they would succumb to "rapid fire" questioning until she made a connection of some sort, or until they knew that she cared about them. We always enjoyed when she would report back with intel on the "friend" she just met.
Elaine was blessed with several friend groups. Beginning with the "Patricia Lane gang" consisting of a number of young moms living on Patricia Lane where she and Myles bought their first home. These moms had their hands full raising kids together which built an amazing bond that still endures today. Elaine was placed on this earth to serve and that she did with grace and compassion. Her Faith, fueled by her "Fellowship Group" of 28 years, shined through with her family and through all of her good works around home, church, volunteering. Elaine's entertainment was her regular "Pinochle Group" made up of many long-term friends from all walks of life that granted her with the starting hand of each game. Elaine cherished the Thursday afternoon competitions with a couple card game "retreats" to Vegas and more recently Arizona.
Elaine's relationship with her brother, Larry, was enviable. Their love and appreciation for each other was apparent. They each had unique strengths and weaknesses, but together, they were a perfect combination as they owned and operated a storage business together for 27 years.
Elaines favorite hobby was planting flowers and working in the yard with her "grand dog", Tilly, by her side. By design, her flower gardens were a labor of love, and they gave her tremendous pride and happiness each Spring when her plants, flowers and trees would come to life.
Our family has truly been humbled by the outpour of prayers and support, we are grateful and feel blessed. In lieu of flowers, please donate on her behalf to your favorite charity or plant a flower in your own yard as a reminder that Elaine has touched your life in her own special way.
Our family gives special thanks to the following: The Billings Clinic for providing years of tender, loving care. Harvest Church and St Thomas Church for nurturing her spiritual journey. Riverstone Hospice for their compassionate care. Nancy her advocate, friend, and guardian Angel.
Elaine will be dearly missed by her husband, Myles Egan; children, Kari(Mark) Kindsfather, Lance(Becca) Egan; Grandchildren, Kyle(Sarah) Kindsfather, Danielle(Jason) Amundsen, Max Egan, Ben Egan; Greatgrandchildren, Piper and Finley Kindsfather, Ada and Anders Amundsen; Brother, Larry(Cynthia) Kaufman; Sister-in-Law, Carolyn Egan; Many nieces and nephews.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Ryanalt & Helen Kaufman; grandson, Justin Kindsfather; granddaughter, Ashley Kindsfather; Father and Mother-in law, Harold and Cora Egan, brother-in-law, Charles Egan.
A celebration of life will be held at Harvest Church located at 1235 W. Wicks Lane on Monday July 28, 2025 at 10:00 a.