Elaine Holmstrom

Born on July 18, 1939, Elaine spent her early years in Oregon where she grew up with a strong sense of curiosity and independence. After high school, she moved to “the big city” of St. Paul, Minnesota before settling in the Greater Seattle Area. In 1968, she began working for National Bank of Commerce as an administrative assistant and soon discovered her passion for banking. With determination and an unwavering work ethic, Elaine steadily rose through the ranks. She broke through glass ceilings in a male-dominated industry, ultimately retiring as Vice President of US Bank’s Private Banking Client Group—a trailblazer who left her mark on the profession.

Retirement brought a new chapter filled with a lot of activity, travel and joy. Splitting her time between Mill Creek, WA and La Quinta, CA, Elaine enjoyed golfing, entertaining and spending time with family and friends. She had an eye for style and design, creating warm and beautiful homes wherever she lived. Elaine was known for her sumptuous holiday dinner parties and was always in search of the next best recipe. Over the last several years, family get togethers became a weekly event—always hosted at her home—where everyone enjoyed comfortable surroundings, good food and lively conversation.

On the golf course, Elaine was as formidable as she was in her career. A regular at Mill Creek Country Club and Indian Wells Country Club, she loved to compete and was fortunate enough to have made lifelong friendships which she held dear to her heart. In the late 1980s, she and a small group of women co-founded ‘Teed Off’, an advocacy group dedicated to women’s rights on private golf courses. Their testimony before Congress helped shape legislation ensuring women equal access to tee times across Washington State. Elaine’s work drew national attention—even prompting invitations to enter politics—but her heart remained with her family and community in Mill Creek.

Elaine was, above all, a devoted mother, grandmother and friend. Her door was always open and nothing brought her more happiness than time spent with those she loved. She was the family’s rock, a source of inspiration to all who knew her and always a champion of women’s rights.

Elaine’s legacy is one of strength, grace, joy and a life well lived. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered with love.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Mill Creek Country Club in the coming months. Memorial gifts may be made to National Audubon Society (www.audubon.org) or Friends of Big Bear Valley (www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org)