Elaine Genevieve Thurston, 80

Elaine Genevieve Thurston, 80, "returned to her Father in Heaven" on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish, three days before her 81st birthday.

She was born Feb. 28, 1925, at Fairdale, N.D., the daughter of John and Caroline (Hanson) Lofgren. Elaine grew up on her parent's farm in Fairdale during the Depression, walking two miles to a country school daily, and in wintertime riding in a canvas-covered bus pulled by a team of horses.

As children, she and her brother Merlyn sang duets at church gatherings and socials. The family moved from Fairdale, to Kalispell, in 1939. Elaine graduated from Flathead County High School in 1943. During her school years there, she played the piano for the school dance band and also played the organ. She was known for her beautiful singing voice, having studied with Ann Peterson of Kalispell.

In 1944, she married Wendell D. Johnson of the U.S. Navy, who had survived the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Wendell died suddenly in May of 1965, in Missoula, where they resided with their young son, Wendell. After several years, she married Calvin Thurston in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in November of 1975. Calvin passed away on April 15, 2002, after 26 years of marriage.

"Elaine, we will miss your sweet gentleness and kindness and rejoice in your being reunited with your loved ones. Your beautiful voice will now be a part of the heavenly choir."

Elaine was preceded in death by her two husbands; her parents; and a younger brother, Donley.

She is survived by her son, Wendell E. Johnson, of Kalispell; brother, Merlyn Lofgren, and his wife, Dorothy, of Missoula; Cal's daughter, Sue Ann Robinson, of Seabrook, Texas; granddaughters, Julie Robinson of Seabrook, Maren Robinson of Chicago, and Heather Brann of Portland; great-granddaughter, Maggie Rose Davidson; several nieces and nephews; and also leaves her loyal, longtime friend, Patty Hardman.

Funeral services for Elaine Genevieve Thurston will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 2, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, with Pastor Larry Stappler officiating, with burial afterward at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. today at Johnson Mortuary Chapel and at the church from 10 a.m. until service time.

The family suggests memorials be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 603 South Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Elaine's family.