This little guy "Buddy" helped Mom through all the tough days.

In loving memory of our dear friend Elaine.
Here is one of her lovely tea cups that she gave us to use for our daughter’s bridal tea in February 2020. 
This tea cup reminds us of Elaine’s sweetness,  her elegance,  kindness and generosity.
We will cherish her memory.
George and Judith Hearst

Elaine was a very nice person who was always kind to our children.

My earliest recollection of Elaine was before Gib and she were married. She would come and stay at our house across the street from the church when she was taking RCIA instructions. (Not sure  it was called that back then.) I think Iwas in 5th grade at the time and we had this reading workbook titled Tom Trott. It was difficult for me but she was always willing to help me with my homework.
Years later we spent many hours together milking cows in the milking parlor Gib had installed. She was always so thankful for the help and reminded me of it often over the years. When they lived in Riverside and I was stationed at Long Beach I spent many weekends with them enjoying their hospitality. 
May God bless you and keep you Elaine!

Thank you for taking good care of us! Miss you!!
Love, 
Sugar and Zoey

Mom,  
I think we (us kids) owe it to you for our work ethic. Dad was the same way, but one day I was there dad was lying on the living room floor about to take his daily siesta. He said your mom is still outside working, I can’t get her to stop. I don’t know how she can keep going. This was You mom for how many years. You probably started when you were five being the only child of a working farm. 

I wish I could have one more Sunday meeting up with you and Ray for the Catholic mass and then going to breakfast afterwards. Sometimes just the three of us and then sometimes with Rays family. All good memories.
Love you mom, say hi to all our family, Miss you!!!

Had to take time out and get my hair done!!

I think we painted everything in sight!!  Les and Rose brought over every figurine from their yard as well!!!

Took time out to feed the ducks in Fairmont Park!!

Mom keeping the weeds down in the boneyard!!

From Sr. Joan Theiss ----

I remember Elaine and Gib living and working on the farm. I'm not sure if Elaine had ever lived on a farm before they married. I just know life was not easy but they did whatever it took to grow crops, take care of the animals, prepare the meals, and do whatever else was needed. When it was time for them to give up the farm work, they made plans to move to California. I don't think Elaine had any family ties in California, so it was a big undertaking. When all was packed up they left Illinois for their adventure to the West.  One memory  I have is when they were ready to leave having to say goodbye. Ma, Betty and Clet went along to help them move. I was not able to go along. I was anxiously waiting for their return, and to hear all about the trip and their new home.   Joan

Somewhere in cyber space is my original message to Elaine. She'll see it if no one else will.

I remember Elaine and Gib's wedding day as if it was yesterday which took place at OLPH church in Sublette just a stones throw from her in law's house where the wedding dinner was held.  She was a beautiful June bride. 

Elaine and Gib were skaters and dancers. I think that is how they met,  roller skating at a Mendota rink.  I also recall them dancing on the Lawrence Welk show when he'd invite the audience to dance.  It was so exciting to see two "stars" that we knew.

After I finished nurses training in Illinois, I moved to San Diego.  On some weekends off, I would drive up to Riverside  where Gib and Elaine so kindly opened their house to me.  I got to see them and my younger cousin's on a regular basis.  I always had a good time and it surely helped curb my  homesickness.  Also at the Delaware house, I remember Mitsy the cat.   As it turned out I was allergic to her.  But it never kept me home.  Elaine was an animal lover for sure.

Elaine, I hope your Heaven is filled with all the animals you so lovingly cared for.

Judi Henkel

Elaine was my mom’s  (Barb M.) cousin. I unfortunately didn’t get to know Elaine as I was very young when she moved to CA. My mom, aunt (Lois also Elaine’s cousin) and uncle Bob went out for a visit years ago. Elaine showed them many wonderful places even went to Disney World where I got the t-shirt. My mom and Elaine were very good about writing to each other and remembering each other’s birthdays and holidays. Miles apart they never let that separate them. I have enjoyed sending cards the past few years since my mom has passed remembering Elaine’s birthday and getting to know her daughter Diane. Thank you Elaine, for giving me the short time we had and Diane for keeping me in the loop these past years.

Mom loved her truck.  Mom and I would always wash it together

During the early years, before their move to Riverside, we celebrated New Years Day at Gib and Elaine’s. As a child I remember playing in their neat house with all the cousin’s, enjoying the prepared feast, and going down into the basement to play pool. 
Another time while on a trip to Southern California for the Dental Convention we called Gib and Elaine and they invited us over for a visit and supper. It was a warm sunny day in Riverside and when we got to their house they had the fireplace roaring, Elaine had made chile to warm us up, and she and the kids had sweaters on. Remember this was mid October in California and it was probably 70 degrees. But the meal was fantastic and I will always remember how sweet and generous Elaine was. Once they moved I missed those family gatherings on the farm and all the great memories of Elaine. 

Stan

Happy Birthday Elaine!
I have many wonderful memories of Elaine starting with being her flower girl at her wedding. On one of my visits you and I decided to tackle refinishing the kitchen cabinets on Delaware. We weren't quite getting them clean enough so we added a little bleach to whatever chemical we were using. Ellen happened to come up that weekend and when she walked into the house she almost fainted from the odor. We hadn't noticed but took her word for it and moved our operation outside and opened the windows to clear the air.
There was always something to do, from mucking the horse pens, cleaning the inside of the water barrel, picking up bales of hay at the feed store, picking some of Carmen's oranges, going to San Diego to see Eddie and Roberta Lauer but Ray discovering right before we left that they were coming a week later. We went anyway and had a glorious boat ride near Coronado Island and then lunch at Anthony's Grotto before heading home.
We loved the once a year ritual of going to San Diego to watch the Cubs play the Padres. We actually won— sometimes!
The trip with you, Ray, Amy, and Chuck to San Francisco's Chinatown was an unforgettable experience. The chocolate/liqueur pairing/tasting tour was the piece de resistance.
We will miss you terribly but are assured by our faith that you are now healthy and enjoying your resurrected life!
Janet and Galen

Sending the family lots of love and prayers during this difficult time. Aunt Elaine was a very special lady. I have fond memories of her growing up. She was my God Mother and would always send sweet cards for my birthday and Christmas.  We loved coming from CO to visit her and Uncle Gib in Riverside. She always had lots of delicious homemade treats for us and a big smile and warm hug. She loved her family and all her animals. Even in the later years she loved showing off her sweet dogs and horses.  We are so sorry for your loss and we are thinking of you all.

Grandma,

Words don't describe what you meant to me and this family. You defined the word grandma,being nothing less than great.. I will always remember the sleep overs,ice cream,going out for breakfast and of course the candy at your house with pretzel s. You were always there for us whether it was a ride to practice ,or picking us up from school .. I will miss you dearly and love you see you again someday. Tell the family we them and know your looking down on us.
Love your grandson,

Darrell hensel

Elaine and my father, Ray, knew one another from growing up near the small town of Sublette, IL.  My family followed Gib & Elaine from Illinois to Riverside in 1966. Unfortunately, Elaine and my father each lost their spouses at far too young an age. They soon became inseparable companions for the past 18 years.  Dad will be lost without Elaine as will so many others who knew and loved her.

OBITUARY

Elaine Violet Theiss

28 February, 1932 – 11 February, 2025

Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary

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