Elaine Lois Fruhwirth

Elaine Fruhwirth of Huntington Beach, California, passed away at the age of 90 on February 25, 2021. She is survived by her two sons Doug (Rosemary) Fruhwirth, and Mike (Kay) Fruhwirth, her two daughters Sue Martin and Mary Page, her four grandchildren, Mike, KJ, Amber, and Jonathon and her six great granddaughters. Elaine is also survived by her sister Katherine, two sister in-laws and many loving nieces, nephews and their extended families.

Elaine was born in North Dakota on March 15, 1930, and was raised on a farm with her two sisters and two brothers.

After finishing school Elaine took a job in the Chocolate Shop/Soda Fountain in Carrington, North Dakota, where she met her love of her life, John. He was straight out of the navy and he charmed her into giving him free chocolate shakes. John frequently referred to Elaine as sweetie and this term of endearment was born at the chocolate shop.

John and Elaine married in 1950 and continued to farm in North Dakota until 1955 when they sold all their belongings and headed to California to raise their family.

They settled in Lakewood CA living there for over 50 years. Elaine was a stay-at-home mom, she took care of the household and kids, making sure they got to school and all their sporting events, as well as making sure homework was done.

Elaine made lifelong friends with the neighbors on Sandwood Street. She had her core group of neighbors, including her sister Doris who lived across the street, that would gather every morning for coffee at Elaine’s house. They called themselves the Back Door friends , since they never came in the front door, as that was way to formal for this group. To this day we are not sure what they discussed each morning, but they had a great time for that hour each day.

During the years that Elaine was busy raising her family with John, she also helped the family income by doing odd jobs around the neighborhood. She ironed for several of the neighbors and she would always babysit for neighbors, friends or family whenever they needed help. Not only did she enjoy watching the kids but she became a second mother/grandmother for so many of them.

Elaine and John were members of the Paramount Elks Club, where they became very involved enjoying all the dances and club activities, making great friends. Besides the social aspect of the Elks, one of the reasons they became members of the Elks was the Elks supported the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and their son Jeffrey who died as an infant had cerebral palsy.

Elaine was the proudest grandmother and great grandmother and she thoroughly enjoyed being involved in her grandchildren’s life. She loved spending time with them, having them sleep over and attending their sporting and school events.

In 2001, Mary moved to Huntington Beach and Elaine and John soon followed to be close to the grandkids and family. They enjoyed helping raise the grandchildren and hanging out with them.

After losing her husband, in October 2015, Elaine moved into an Assisted Living facility in Huntington Beach. This was quite the adjustment for her since she had never lived alone. She went from growing up and being at home with her family to getting married and living with John for 65 years. Upon moving into Assisted Living facility, she stated this is a heck of a time to finally be living by myself , but she adjusted and did great. Elaine made friends and they looked out after each other and shared their stories of life and also their family when they visited. All of Elaine’s children got involved and attended the Assisted Living activities with her. Elaine’s family became very well known at the facility and the staff and her friends frequently commented on how lucky Elaine was to have her family so involved in her life.

Elaine will be laid to rest beside her soul mate John. We are sure they are happy to be together again, dancing a polka, playing cards, sitting next to each other in their recliners watching sporting events and of course Elaine’s favorite, Wheel of Fortune.

The family would like to thank you for your prayers and please know each one of you had an impact on her life as we know she had an impact on your life as well.

Funeral Services will be held on April 8, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Pancratius Catholic Church 3519 St. Pancratius Place, Lakewood, CA 90712 .  Elaine will be laid to rest at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach, CA.  In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation at https://www.yourcpf.org/donate-2/

Due to COVID and the limited capacity within the Church, the funeral services attendance will be limited. Please feel free to join us at Mike and Kay’s house on April 8 at 1:30 pm to celebrate Elaine’s life.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401