Elaine was born on March 30, 1933 in McIntosh, SD, to Arie and Emma Cook.  The fourth of five children, she grew up in Lemmon where she attended elementary school and graduated high school in 1951. On November 16, 1951, Elaine married Julian Wolff and the couple made their home in Lemmon.  They welcomed their firstborn, Linda, on November 22, 1952, and Barbara followed on December 24, 1953.  A third daughter was born to them on November 10, 1963.  On the subject of a possible boy, Elaine liked to joke "three strikes, you're out"!

While raising a family, Elaine also worked outside the home at the Federal Land Bank.  She later worked at the First National Bank until the couple moved to Spearfish, SD to relocate Wolff's Heating & Plumbing.  After the move, Elaine worked as the secretary/office manager of that business until her retirement.

While in Lemmon, Elaine was a member of the Lemmon Jayceettes and participated in Lemmon's Golden Jubilee.  She was an avid bowler and attended several state tourneys as well as a national tournament in Omaha, NE.  Her bowling career continued in Spearfish and well into retirement.

Elaine enjoyed swimming and shared that love and the love of Shadehill Lake with her daughters—but only when all work was done.  She held herself and her daughters to high standards and taught them that work came before pleasure much to their chagrin.  After their move to Spearfish, Elaine continued her swimming and enjoyment of the water at the BHSU athletic complex on a regular basis.

Books were a constant in Elaine's life as she was an avid reader—a trait she modeled and handed on to her daughters.  Another passion was her love of plants and growing things.  Not only was the house full of plants, but Elaine relished the growing season that was all too short in South Dakota.  From the moment the soiled warmed, and frost was not a threat, Elaine was gardening and working in the yard.

Most importantly, Elaine was a role model to her daughters.  She was an intelligent, independent, strong, articulate woman in an age when women were not expected to be so.  For that, we are thankful.

Elaine Wolff, age 91, passed away on January 23, 2025 at Seven Sisters Nursing Home in Hot Springs, SD.

Elaine is survived by her three daughters, Linda O'Donnell, Barbara Hoff, and Michele Rickenbach; grandchildren: Devin (Kayla) O'Donnell, Sarah (Ryan) Conrad, Heather (Chris) Rozell, Kerry (Chad) Westover, Lesley (Ryan) Poper, and Michael (Theresa) Kruse; great-grandchildren: Alec O'Donnell, Emma O'Donnell, Isabella O'Donnell, Olivia O'Donnell, John Paul O'Donnell, Dane Conrad, Theodore Conrad; Reagan (Carson) Britzman, Mason Rozell, Reese Rozell, Ramsey Rozell, Aubre Westover, Ava Westover, Lane Poper, Genevieve Poper, and Leighton Poper, and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, and Julian Wolff.

A family service and burial will be held on June 10, 2025.