Elaine Lenore Schwandt

Elaine Lenore Schwandt, the daughter of Edgar and Mabel (Anderson) Olson, was born on November 3, 1928 in Greenleaf Township, Meeker County, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church of Litchfield. She graduated from Litchfield High School in 1946 and continued her education at St. Cloud Teacher's College. She taught in Ortonville from 1948 to 1950, where she met Earl Schwandt. The two were united in marriage in the Litchfield United Methodist Church on August 27, 1950. They lived on her family dairy farm until they moved their current home in 1989. She was a substitute teacher at the Evenson Country School while raising her young family, and she went back to St. Cloud State in the mid-1960's to complete her 4 year teaching degree. Elaine was a teachers' assistant at Lake Ripley Elementary School from 1969 until she retired. She was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was the education director and taught Sunday school. The family eventually transferred membership to Zion Lutheran Church where she was a member of WELCA. She was a regular in attendance for the Wednesday evening services and later enjoyed listening to the services on the radio. Family was of utmost importance to Elaine as she loved spending time with and attending events involving her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always had an encouraging and supporting word for them. She was a 4-H leader for many years. She enjoyed spending time with neighbors and friends in the Jolly 25 and Birthday clubs. She also loved to play cards and travel with Earl, especially to California to visit family. Elaine enjoyed completing the daily cryptoquip puzzles in the paper, gardening and planting flowers and found a serene peace during her late night reading. She is survived by her husband Earl of Litchfield, MN; children, William ""Bill"" (and Christine) Schwandt of Morton, MN, Brian (and Beverly) Schwandt of Litchfield, MN, and Janell Schwandt of Montrose, MN; step-son Don (and Shirley) Classen of Apple Valley, MN; 9 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren. Sister's in law, Alice Holtquist, Verna Stoehr, Ethel Anderson, Evelyn Henderson, Elvera Cooper and Kaye Schwandt, many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Edgar and Mabel; daughter Gail Schwandt; and sisters Jeanne Goemer and Merrilyn Parker. May her strength, determination, spirit and love of family be an inspiration to all.Previous Events Visitation Sunday, April 21, 2013 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Monday, April 22, 2013 11:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Monday, April 22, 2013 11:45 AM Riplely Cemetery 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355