Elaine H Conrad

Elaine Hilda Mildred Conrad, age 85 of Mankato, died Monday, February 15, 2010, at Mankato House Health Care Center in Mankato.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 21, 2010, at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Mankato. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday. Burial will be held at a later date in Pipestone, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church or to an organization of the donor's choice. Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Elaine was born on August 13, 1924, in Trosky Village, Minnesota to Louis and Hilda (Eggers) Conrad. She grew up on a farm and in towns around the Pipestone area. She was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church in Trosky, and confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church in Holland, MN. In her youth, she sang in the church choir, played guitar, enjoyed caring for the animals on the family farm, fishing, and playing softball. In addition, she worked at her father's bowling centers in Redwood Falls and Morgan. She joined St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Mankato upon moving to the area in 1962. She was employed by Slater Foods as a cashier at Mankato State College (University) from 1962 until her retirement in 1989. Most importantly, Elaine had faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior and is now enjoying eternal peace with him in heaven.

Affectionately called "Aunty Ee", she loved to cook, bake, and clean for her family. She also enjoyed family get-togethers, traveling, camping, church hymns, and country music. She enjoyed watching The Price Is Right, and was an avid Minnesota Twins fan. She delighted in being a godmother and aunt, and considered her nieces and nephews as her own children. Elaine's face lit up around babies and young children. She cherished meeting people, making friendships, and chatting over coffee. Elaine was always concerned about the well-being of others and offered assistance to those in need. Thank you to everyone who did the same for her, including the pastors, vicar and Ladies Aid at St. Paul's; Mankato House staff, special activities volunteers, and hospice workers.

She is survived by a sister, LaVon "Bonnie" (Dan) Krueger of Mankato; sister-in-law and husband, Sandy (Jerry) Hansen of Mankato; nieces and nephews, Ron (Blanche) Johnson, Terry (Cindy) Johnson, Dee (Robert "Burr") Schultz, Daniel Krueger, Mike Krueger, Jeff (Jackie) Krueger, Lynn Reiter, Jan (Lee) Titus, Perry Conrad, Paul Conrad, Amy (Mike) Olsen; many great-nieces and nephews; and many great-great nieces and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; sister and brother-in-law, Arlene and Ervin Johnson; brother, Louis Conrad; and twin nephews, Curtis and Craig Johnson.