The Extraordinary Life of Elaine Frances Gilbert Lee

Elaine was born in Rockerville, SD to Arthur and Jane Gilbert On May 10th, 1928.  Her strength and determination were present from the time she was a little girl.  As just a tiny girl, she fell into a well and sustained a back injury.  She would go on to graduate from high school cum laude.

It was at a dance hall in Rockerville, SD that she met and fell in love with her husband of 63 years, Curtis Lee.  They started their journey together in a little one bedroom cabin along Rapid Creek on Minnelusa Drive.  They were faced with a heartbreak when their twin sons, Merlin and Marlin, died at birth.  They would go on to add 3 daughters to the family.  First Barbara Jane Lee, then came Connie Marie Lee and finally the unexpected arrival of Patricia Elaine Lee.  For a time this family of five would all live in that tiny little cabin on Minnelusa Drive which was bursting at the seams with love.  Curtis then built Elaine her dream home right next door.

Elaine and Curtis opened Lee's Blue Ribbon Bakery down the street on Minnelusa but due to the ill health of Curtis, they later closed.  Elaine continued to work at various jobs and she would once again start her own business along with her sister, Doris.  They ran the luncheonette in the Gambles store in downtown Rapid City.  The final job Elaine had before retiring was as an optometric assistant for Drs. Wick and Corwin and then Dr. Tesar.  Even though Elaine was busy with work outside the home, her greatest joy and most rewarding accomplishment were that of wife and mother.  After retiring, Elaine and Curtis would enjoy many years of wintering in Arizona and spending time with their daughter Barbara.

Elaine's deep personal faith and character guided her through many hardships  during her life.  One of the most challenging was the flood of 1972.  She and Curtis  rebuilt their life and home and were stronger and closer than ever.

For pleasure Elaine loved working outside in her yard and garden.  She and Curtis loved dancing weekly at the Moose along with family and friends.  Elaine also enjoyed playing cards and was in several pinochle and 500 card clubs.

Elaine was faced with several major health issues which she endured and overcame  with the same strength and determination as all the other hardships in her life.

The loss of the love of her life, Curtis, impacted Elaine's life more than any other.  Even though, due to her enormous strength, she continued on, the light in her life was dimmed after his loss.  Her three girls still brought her joy and happiness but nothing could replace that bond she shared with Curtis.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Jane Gilbert, her brothers Arthur James and Robert Dale, her sister Doris, twin sons Merlin and Marlin and her husband and heart, Curtis.  She is survived by her three daughters Barbara Lee (Thomas "Red" Searles) of Black Canyon City, AZ, Connie Beckstrom (Eric Thorstenson) of Rapid City, and Patty Danielson (Jeff) also of Rapid City, seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  She also has a sister, Alta Uhrmacher in Texas.

Services will be 1:30 Monday, July 30th, 2018 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Randy Phipps.  Viewing will be one hour prior to service.  Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

Her sweet smile and gentle spirit will be missed by her three daughters for the rest of their lives.  She was the strongest, kindest, most decent person who will never be equaled.  Rest now sweet mama bear.  We love you to the moon and back.