Elaine has served as Sanctuary Choir director for over 30 years. She is also our pianist for Wednesday worship. Elaine feels serving God through music is a special blessing and she loves what she does. Elaine also serves on the Outreach team, which meets the needs of our community and beyond to help those less fortunate.

Elaine is from Oakes, ND. She graduated from Valley City State University with a music education degree. She taught grades K-12 vocal and Instrumental music in Edinburg, ND before moving to Hawley, where. she taught mostly vocal musicfor 34 years, retiring in 2014. Elaine is married Gerry. They have 3 daughters, Allison (Jason); Megan (Patrick); and Gretchen (Dustin) Elaine and Gerry are the proud grandparents of Annika, Sophia and Lane Stuart; Noah and Caleb Brejcha, and Emmett Hjelmstad.

Growing up as an Episcopalian, church has always been a very important part of Elaine’s life and Hawley Lutheran is a loving and giving church family that she is proud to serve.