Elaine Sjelstad

Elaine C. Sjelstad, age 80, of Sunburg, passed away Wednesday morning, Aug. 12, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, at Hope Lutheran Church in Sunburg. Interment will be at Spring Creek Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16, at Hope Lutheran Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Monday. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Sunburg Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Elaine Cecelia Sjelstad was born on November 20, 1939, in Browns Valley, Minnesota, the daughter of Melvin and Hildegarde (Schwagel) Rende. She grew up in the Brooten community and graduated from Glenwood High School in 1957. On April 5, 1958, Elaine was united in marriage to Milton James Sjelstad and made their home in Minneapolis. She was employed at Woolworths in the Apache Plaza and later worked at Crestview Nursing Home for over 21 years. Following their retirement on April 1, 1994, they moved to Sunburg. Elaine was an active member of Hope Lutheran Church, volunteering for any church activity, funeral, wedding or social.  She was the chairman of the Sunburg area blood drive for many years.  Elaine enjoyed collecting angel figurines.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Milton; two daughters, Theresa (and Paul) Stewart of Lino Lakes and Sheila (and Thomas) Jorges of New Brighton; three grandchildren, Jody (and Jonathan) Wallin, Jennifer Stewart and Jonathan (and Mallory) Stewart; three great grandchildren, Jadelyn, Janessa and Jaxson Wallin; and one brother, Vernon (and Judy) Rende of Mora, besides other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Lavern and a sister in infancy.