Memorials › Elaine Silda Stelk Collier
Elaine Silda Stelk Collier
24 Apr 1926 – 17 Apr 2014
| Birth | 24 Apr 1926 |
| Death | 17 Apr 2014 |
| Cemetery | Willamette National Cemetery Portland , Multnomah County , Oregon , USA |
| Added by | Bobbie Krueger on 08 Jan 2023 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130685898 |
Bio
The Eugene Register-Guard Lane County, Oregon June 1, 2014 Elaine S. Collier Born April 24, 1926 - Died April 17, 2014 A love Story. Elaine was born and raised in Grand Island, NE on the family farm which was one of the original German homestead farms in the early 1800's. She has a twin brother and two older sisters. Elaine, and one of her sister's, big adventure first time off the farm was to move to San Diego, where Elaine worked as “Rosy the Riveter” at an airline factory when the war firs broke out with Japan. One evening a handsome young sailor on shore leave decided to to to one of the frequent dances at the old historic Coronado Hotel. He was buying his ticket when he heard high heels clicking on the side walk. He glanced around and saw two beautiful girls, so he bought their tickets too. That's how Bob Collier met Elaine Stelk. Bob said that was his lucky day, as he “flipped” for Elaine. Once again just off the ship in Seattle, he called Elaine and she remembers she had to pay 25 cents to be proposed to over the phone. Then to clench the deal, and so she could not change her mind, he bought a set of rings and mailed them to her. He rode the train to Grand Island to meed the parents and Bob and Elaine were married across the border in Kansas by Bob's grandfather who was a Quaker preacher. They lived several different places as he was a machinist on the railroad, but the longest (over 35 years) was in Eugene, Oregon just off River Road. Two children (Susan and Harold), and fifty-five years later, he said he still loved that girl! Elaine always had a kind generous heart and a twinkle in her eyes especially for little children. She loved them and they loved her! Elaine also loved to dance at the Elks, she was a member of the Eastern Stars, and volunteer at the Eugene Recreation and Parks Division in her senior years after Bob's death in 1999. Elaine came to live with her daughter in Sandy, Oregon for the remainder of her life. Elaine was a Christian and believed that her reward for a good life would be in heaven. She died quickly and did not suffer at the end. Elaine was placed next to her husband at Willamette National Cemetery. By Susan Collier Gerberding. ~~~~ Obituary contributed by Richard Carle .
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