Elaine Lupkes

ELAINE JOANN LUPKES was born August 23, 1940 to Joe and Grace (Schoeneman) DeBeer on a farm northwest of George, Iowa. She lived on the various farm places rented by her parents and attended Liberal #5 Country School for a couple of years. Her parents eventually purchased a farm between Adrian, Minnesota and Magnolia, Minnesota and Elaine attended school in Magnolia graduating from high school in the class of 1958. She spent her first year out of high school working at the Adrian Hospital as a nurse’s aide while also working various jobs in the area. She so enjoyed helping others and enrolled in the nurse’s training program at St. Joseph School of Practical Nursing in Mitchell, South Dakota and graduated in 1961. She began her nursing career in Luverne, Minnesota and later worked in Worthington, Minnesota. On October 14, 1961, Elaine was united in marriage to Herman Lupkes at the Bethel Reformed Church in Ellsworth, Minnesota. The couple rented various farms and raised their family. They lived in Luverne before moving to the acreage northeast of Hardwick, Minnesota in 1987. Elaine had continued with her nursing taking time off for having her children. She worked at the Rock Rapids Healthcare Center, the Heritage House in Luverne, and lastly at the Garretson Nursing Home before retiring in 1992.

Elaine was a member of the United Methodist Church in Luverne and served on several evangelism committees. She volunteered many years with the American Red Cross and their efforts with blood donations. She enjoyed sewing and made many of her children’s clothes. Reading was another favorite pastime until her eyesight began failing her. The contacts and relationships Elaine made in her years working in healthcare were dear to her heart. Caring for her residents both young and old brought her such joy.

On Sunday, July 6, 2014 Elaine passed away at her home in Hardwick at the age of 73 years, 10 months and 13 days.

Elaine is survived by Herman and her six children, Myron Lupkes of Lake Stevens, Washington, Melanie and her husband, Keith Petersen of Luverne (daughter, Ashley), Marcia and her husband Randy Mulder also of Luverne (children, Brittany and Taylor), Matthew Lupkes of Columbia Heights, Minnesota and special friend, Holly Bleyenberg with her children, Katheryn and Cole, Misty and her husband Willy Baker of Hardwick, Minnesota (daughter, Makayla), and Mandy and her husband, Jason Brecher of Harrisburg, South Dakota (daughter, Stella); three great-grandchildren, Kingston, Jace and Morgan; and a brother Gene DeBeer and his wife Ruth of Adrian. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Grace DeBeer and her brother, Wayne.