Elaine Nack

Elaine Angeline (Vanselow) Nack was born on July 14, 1926, in Little Falls, MN to Frank and Pauline (Stapel) Vanselow.  She attended country school for her elementary years and graduated from Swanville High School.  Elaine then went to St. Cloud Teacher’s College and graduated in 1947 with a teaching degree. She started her teaching career in Waseca and then in Alexandria, moved to Eugene, OR for a couple of years and returned to Alexandria.

On July 17, 1955, Elaine was united in marriage to Emil Nack at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Swanville.  The couple lived in Osakis where Emil farmed, and Elaine continued to teach in Osakis until starting their family.  The couple was blessed with three children: Julie, Keith, and Audrey.  Elaine was a homemaker and helped with farming.  In 2000, Elaine and Emil retired and moved to Alexandria.  Emil passed away in 2007, and Elaine later moved into Winona Shores until her move to Alex Assisted Living in 2013.

Elaine loved reading, playing cards, especially solitaire, bowling, puzzles, baking and was very good at: breads, pies, hot cross buns, and pfeffernusse.  She was active at Zion Lutheran Church and helped teach Sunday School.  Elaine also enjoyed volunteering with literacy programs.  She was active in Multiple Sclerosis support groups and found them very supportive to help live with MS for over 40 years, never letting it define her.

Elaine died on Sunday, April 29, 2018, at Alex Assisted Living in Alexandria, MN at the age of 91.  She is survived by her children, Julie (Randy) Valez of Taylors Falls, MN, Keith (Linda) Nack of Osakis, MN, and Audrey Nack of Venice, FL; grandsons, Andrew(Amanda) and Aaron Nack, Shawn, Dustin, and Luke Valez; brother, Armin Vanselow of Roseville, MN; sisters-in-law, Jean Vanselow of Crystal, MN, Betty Vanselow of Sartell, MN, Linda Utley of Garfield, MN and Billie Nack of Alexandria, MN; and many nieces and nephews.  Elaine is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Pauline; husband, Emil; brothers, Edwin and Arthur; sisters, Lillian Stoll, Nora Larsen, Alice Olson, Edna Clapshaw, Marian Paske, Adeline Peterson, Clara Olson, and Mildred Blumreich; and many nieces and nephews.