Elaine Marilyn Steen

Elaine Steen was born November 1932 to parents Nels Mand Hilda O. Axelvold at Crookston, Minnesota. Pastor Mortensen baptized Elaine on May 2, 1933, at Fosston, Minnesota. Elaine attended Salem Lutheran Church, Gully, Minnesota, as a child and their Vacation bible school. She was confirmed by Pastor Megordan in Zion Lutheran church on June 1947.

Elaine grew up on a small farm near Gully, Minnesota. She attended a one room country school in Eden township, Polk County, called Willowside School. She graduated 8th grade there in 1947. In 1947 Elaine attended Fosston High School and graduated in June of 1951. She enjoyed playing violin in the new orchestra formed in 1948. She played for 3 years in the orchestra til graduation in 1951.

Elaine attended Aakers Business School and graduated in September 1951 and worked at Chief Pontiac Motors in Grand Forks, North Dakota for 3 years as secretary until September of 1954.

Salem Lutheran Church in Gully, Minnesota was the marriage ceremony for Elaine and Charles Steen in April 1954. They lived in Grand Forks until moving to Long Beach, California in July of 1956.

Elaine worked at Lunseth Plumbing as a stenographer from December, 1954 until the birth of her son, Steven, December 11, 1955. A son, John, was born in Compton, California on December 16, 1956.

Elaine was home til her sons started school. She then worked the "noon hour" schedule at Pup N' Taco drive-in for 3 years. She took an office refresher course at Long Beach City College and went to work for Long Beach Cablevision for one year til her auto accident in October, 1971. She worked at Royal Typewriter from May, 1972 to June, 1974.

The year of 1983 Polynesian dancing became a new hobby. She was with "Young at Heart" dance group for a few years and then joined "Luana Polynesian " dancers in January of 1993.

She, also, learned to play the electronic organ and studied and took lessons from 1975 to 1984. It was a joy for her even though she wasn't the best player.

General Federation of Women's Club was a rewarding philanthropic association Elaine was involved with from 2002 to 2015. She held various positions within the local GFWC club and enjoyed the women she met and worked with.

She was a member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church since 1960 and enjoyed the involvement she had with the ladies and the bible studies were enlightening and very satisfying. She also attended the BSF bible studies for approximately 4 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Charles. Surviving are her sons Steven (Jody) and John, grandchildren Jason (Tina) and Justine.

"Blessed be her memory"