Elaine Mae Larsen Gunderson, a six year resident of the Colville, WA area passed away on January 20, 2016 in Colville at the age of 69. Elaine was born in Mandan, ND on November 23, 1946. She spent the first few years of her life in Levelock, Alaska, before settling with her parents, Herman Ludwig and Harriet Mae (Hendrickson) Larsen, in Fargo, ND.
Elaine attended school in Fargo where she graduated from the Fargo Central High School. She married Loren Gunderson on August 14, 1965. Elaine continued her education at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1968 with a double major in German and Art. Elaine and Loren eventually settled near Argusville, North Dakota. The two worked together in the family construction company until 1980, when Elaine returned to nursing school. Elaine became a registered nurse in 1982 and worked as an RN in Fargo until 1994. She resigned from nursing to spend time in Alaska with her new-found sister, Lori.
Starting in 1994, Elaine and Loren began to travel extensively to the Pacific Northwest. They fell in love with the town of Port Alice, British Columbia and spent time each year there, from 2003 to 2012. In 2009, the pair moved their permanent residence from Argusville, North Dakota to Colville, Washington.
Elaine was, above all, creative. She loved to paint, sew, crochet, work with wood, play music, and sing. She was an accomplished pianist and violinist and prolific craftswoman. She was also the best fisherperson in her family.
Elaine is preceded in death by her sisters Etola and Yvonne.
She is survived by her husband Loren, children Jason Gunderson (wife, Andrea), Jorja Gunderson, and Vicente Vazquez (wife, Ana); sister Lori Christiansen; brother Bud Larsen; eight grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Mrs. Elaine Mae Larsen Gunderson will begin at 1:00 p.m., January 25, 2016 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Colville, WA with Pastor Eric Ohrtman officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to the Salvation Army. Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.