Elaine G. Nelson

Elaine passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 at Providence St. Peter Hospital with her children by her side. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend who will be missed forever and never forgotten. She was born to Gustav and Gerda Gordham in Sedro Wooley, WA on March 28th, 1925.

The Gordham’s were part of a large Norwegian family that settled in Bow, WA in the Skagit Valley. Gustav, Gerda and Elaine moved to Tacoma, WA in 1926 where her brother Gerry was born. They lived in Tacoma until 1934 when Gustav's employer, Puget Power, offered him employment in Olympia, WA. The family settled at 1026 State St. and Elaine graduated from Olympia High School in 1943. Following high school, Elaine worked at several department stores in downtown Olympia before getting a job as a clerk typist with the State of WA in 1947. She loved her job, however in 1951, Elaine and several girlfriends moved to the exciting town of San Francisco, CA. In 1953 she met Karl T. Reinke upon his return to the States after the Korean War. They were married July 16th, 1955 in Palo Alto, CA. The newlyweds moved to Illinois where son David and daughter Kay were born. Elaine separated from Karl and moved with her children back to Olympia in 1965. A divorce would follow in 1973. She went back to work for the State of WA and enjoyed life with her family and friends of her youth. She retired in 1993 following 30 years of service as an accountant for the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Elaine became reacquainted in 1997 with high school classmate, Don Nelson, at a class reunion and they married in 1999. They had five wonderful years together traveling the world until Don’s untimely death. Elaine referred to those five years as the best times of her life. Above all, she loved her family and caring for them with all her heart and soul. Besides traveling, other interests included her Norwegian traditions and hiking, as she was active in Volkswalks for many years. She and her good friend Gracie Faaren walked three miles a day for nearly a decade, rarely missing a day. Many of their walks included their grandchildren. She also had a great love for Gloria Dei Lutheran Church where she was one of the longest active members, beginning her membership in 1934. In 2012, she moved to Olympics West Retirement Inn where she developed a happy social life with the staff and senior community there.

Elaine is preceded in death by her Husband, Don Nelson, Grandson Jeremy Garlinghouse, and Brother Gerry Gordham. She is survived by her children, David Reinke (Barbara) and Kay Garlinghouse (Lonnie), and grandchildren Justin (Tawnee) Garlinghouse, Joel Garlinghouse, and step-grandchildren Matthew and Rachel Thompson.

Memorial gifts may be given to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.