Elaine Gloria Neill

Elaine Gloria Neill died on August 26, 2014 at the age of 89. She passed in peace with her family by her side and in the comfort and loving care of the Madrone Hospice House in Yreka where she stayed during her final days. Elaine was born in 1925 to Omar and Ida Hauan of Willmar, Minnesota where she attended elementary school and graduated from Willmar High School. Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, offered many outdoor activities such as swimming and boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter, all of which she loved! In high school, she was the head majorette and led the band with a big steel baton, which she threw high in the sky, unfailingly catching it, and continuing to march! One of her highlights of high school was a band trip to New York City. Another was being crowned homecoming queen her senior year! Elaine's high school friends called her "cutie", and she was beautiful, both outwardly and inwardly. She was compassionate, loving, and always interested in others. She began dating her future husband, Robert Neill, in high school. He served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II, and they were married after he returned home from the War. They had three children, Sharon, Steven, and Patricia. In Yreka, Elaine was a faithful member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church since the 1950’s where she served as financial secretary, Sunday school teacher, pianist, and in other volunteer positions. She also was a member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority and the Lady Elks, performing many good deeds in the community. Elaine worked as a teacher's aide for the Yreka Elementary Schools and also worked in the Siskiyou County Recorder’s Office. Another love of Elaine's was music. She began playing the piano at a young age and gave lessons to many children, including her own. She also played the trumpet. Elaine resided at Meadowlark Assisted Living in Yreka for the last four years where she received wonderful care and support. Elaine is survived by her husband of 68 years, Robert Neill; her three children and their spouses, Sharon Broce (Ron), Steven Neill (Mary), and Patricia Rice (Craig); five grandsons, Stephen, Ryan, and Eric Broce, Eric and David Neill; six great grandchildren; three siblings, Donald Hauan (Doris), Ardis Wulf (Roger), Marilyn Lindner (Richard), and their families. Peace be to her memory. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 825 Knapp Street, in Yreka on Tuesday, September 2, at 11am. Interment will be at the Eagle Point National Cemetery on Wednesday, September 3, at 10am. If desired, and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Elaine’s name to the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.

Elaine Gloria Neill

April 12, 1925 - August 26, 2014