Elaine Jeanette Sanderson

Elaine was born March 6, 1929 at the family farm in Borgholm Township, Milaca, MN, to Hans L. Larsen Sr. And Grace C. (Starkweather) Larsen. She was the 10^th of 19 children and attended Borgholm and Hayland country schools.

She married the love of her life, Donald J. Sanderson, on March 6, 1948. They briefly made their home in St. Paul, before moving back to help run the family farm. Elaine cared for her mother until her death in 1952. Elaine and Don helped raise her 8 younger siblings, run the farm, and care for her father until his death in 1965.

Elaine and Don had 3 children, Darlene, Dean, and Diane, 7 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

She loved to travel and went many places with the Primetimers Club. Among her favorite places to visit were, Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa, and Branson, Missouri. Every place she visited meant she could add another mug to her extensive collection. 

Her home was a gathering place for family, friends, and neighbors. Countless pans of pumpkin bars, and chocolate chip cookies were enjoyed, while quilts were tied, pants hemmed, and many meals shared. Elaine enjoyed reading, crocheting, embroidery, quilting, collecting coffee mugs, hummingbirds and interesting rocks. The smell of her Swedish raisin rye bread, and white bread and buns, was always permeating the kitchen. She turned her baking talent into a business in the 1980's when she took classes to become a professional cake decorator. Over the years she made a countless number of cakes, from simple sheet cakes, to wedding cakes with fountains!

She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many hours were spent reading books and riding bike. She enjoyed going to band and choir concerts, cheering them on at sporting events, and encouraging their individual talents.

Elaine was a bright light to so many. She had a way of making you feel loved and valued just by holding your hand. She always had a smile to share, or a hug to give. She made a difference, and will be greatly missed.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Levi T. Starkweather, and Eva E. (Campbell) Starkweather, and Christian Larsen, and Sophia (Hansen) Larsen;  parents, Hans L. Larsen Sr. and Grace C. (Starkweather) Larsen;  sisters, Sophie Johnson, Wilma Anderson, Pearl Broberg and Karen Radke;  brothers, Levi, Laurence, Hans Jr., Vernon, Melvin, John, Donald, Raymond, Marvin, Eugene, James, Paul, and Gary;  daughter-in-law, Alyce Sanderson, and beloved husband of 68 years, Donald.

She is survived by children, Darlene (Carl) Moody, Dean (Kathy) Sanderson, and Diane (Boyd) Hedin;  grandchildren, Karla (Michael) Dumonceaux, Jennifer (Dewey) Schramm, Kimberly Nelson, Emily (Jeffrey) Kiel, Adam (Jen) Sanderson, Joe Sanderson, and Jeannie (Byron) Byker, as well as 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Ralph (Cheryl) Larsen;  sisters-in-law, Margaret, Annabelle, Jan, and Carol and many nieces, nephews, and special friends.