Of her parents, Elaine wrote in 1989 . .

“My father was named Carl Gottfrid Windh and my mother was Serena Ingavalla, a name we never learned about until her later years. My mother was known as Sena. She was a beautiful woman all her life. She loved to laugh and have a good time. She loved life, her children, grandchildren, and loved to travel. With ten children, she had to be a super cook. She loved to sew and make us beautiful clothes. She sewed in the evening and later hours. Peace and quite, I guess.

My father gave me away at my wedding and he passed away three days after we were married. It was surely a sad time in our lives. Christmas wasn’t very happy without him. He had heart problems. He had worked hard all his life as a farmer in South /Dakota. Even though he was told not to work, he sold Christmas trees for extra money for Christmas. My father was a handsome man. He loved his family. At times I still miss my parents. There was always something to share. They both gave us all so much love and caring. They taught us honesty, good citizenship and responsibility, and caring for others.

How could I be so lucky to be born into a wonderful family. I LOVE MY FAMILY.“