RAPID CITY- Elaine (Wilhelm) Schleusener passed away peacefully on May 25, 2013 after suffering a stroke the day before. She was born outside Adams, NE on May 31, 1929, the youngest of four children. She admitted being spoiled by her family, telling stories of knowing how to wheedle money from her older siblings for Saturday nights "on the town." During high school, the family moved to Lincoln, NE; here, her stories were of being shy and overwhelmed with the big city. She persevered in Lincoln, meeting Dick in 1948 at a church function, where he romanced her by teaching her how to spell "Schleusener." They were married in Lincoln on June 12, 1949. Their first four of five children were born while Dick continued his education and served in the US Air Force; their luxurious accommodations ranged from a small portable trailer to half a Quonset hut in married student housing. They first settled in Fort Collins, CO, and their youngest was born shortly before moving to Rapid City in 1964. She was the most proud of loving, raising, and caring for her five children: Kathy, Rick, Rand, Deb, and Jeff. When Dick was named president at SDSM&T, Elaine took on the social responsibilities inherent to that position. Her overarching goal in this position, and everywhere in life, was to do her utmost to make people comfortable. She was also proud of her contribution to the group of SD college presidents' wives, changing their previous method of communicating with each other with the title of "Mrs." to being on a first name basis. Elaine and Dick traveled the country in an RV for a year after Dick's retirement and spent some years as "Winter Texans," always keeping Rapid City as home base. Their most treasured moments were with their grandchildren, and their favorite place was always with their family. As a measure of that, Elaine was so happy that she met most of her grandchildren within 24 hours of their birth (sorry Beth!). Most recently, she was also glad and grateful to have been able to continue to care for Dick. She is survived by her husband Richard A. Schleusener, Rapid City; her children and their spouses: Kathy (Max) Miller, Rapid City; Rick (Julie) Schleusener, Fort Collins, CO; Randy (Karen) Schleusener, Rapid City; Deb Schleusener (Pete Hallock), Pocatello, ID; and Jeff (Lauri) Schleusener, Rapid City; her 10 grandchildren: Amy Miller, Rapid City; Kelsey (Andrew) Schleusener Sprowell, Basalt, CO, Courtney, Jeff, and Christian Schleusener, Fort Collins, CO; Kate (fiancé Simon Ferrell), Vermillion, and Tom Schleusener, St. Peter, MN; Beth, Rick, and Annie Schleusener, Rapid City; grandchildren-in-law Marie and Donovan Davis, Durango, CO; and many more close friends and family. Her children wish to thank the staff at West Hills who so lovingly and thoughtfully have cared for both Mom and Dad throughout this last year. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 31, at Calvary Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Dwight Stensgaard officiating. Interment will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Memorials may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church or to the charity of the donor's choice.