Rapid City - Elaine Willey Hjort Seidensticker passed away on February 13, 2014 at West Hills Village Health Care in Rapid City, SD surrounded by members of her loving family. Elaine Elizabeth Willey was born September 16, 1922 in Hamilton, Montana - the second daughter of Elizabeth and A.C. Willey. Elaine grew up on the family ranch in the Big Hole Valley of Montana with siblings Corrine, June and Chuck. She was the only child in her class in the rural Gibbons School for the first eight years of her education. She and sister June rode their faithful horse Midgy the three miles from the ranch to school and back again in every season of the year. The family ranch's remote location necessitated boarding in town for high school, where the Boetticher and John Jackson families hosted Elaine. Graduating with the Class of 1940, Elaine went on to attend Butte Business College. A blind date arranged by a mutual friend led to Elaine meeting Wesley "Bud" Hjort whom she wed on June 26, 1941 in Deer Lodge, Montana. The newlyweds moved to Bud's hometown of Medicine Lake, Montana and purchased a small farm. Over time with planning, hard work and careful saving they expanded their agricultural operations and eventually focused on raising durum wheat and Hereford cattle. Of greater importance to them, they also raised a family: sons Barry and Tim and daughter Susan. Elaine and Bud were active in their church and their community and Elaine was a 4-H, Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader. Bud's failing health led to a move to Billings in 1973. He passed in 1974. Elaine then moved back to her roots in Dillon to be closer to her Mother, sisters and daughter. In 1986 Elaine married Dr. John Seidensticker with whom she shared nearly 25 years of her life and many mutual interests including a long time connection to Beaverhead County and the ranch life, Montana history, local flora and fauna, bridge, travel and family. She gladly became the step-Mom and Grandmother to John's children: Jack, Jim, Judy, Jerry, Jeanne & Jeff and their families. Their home became well-known as the Seidensticker's "Bed and Breakfast" where the door was always open, with a great home-cooked meal and conversation always available. In 2008 Elaine and John relocated from Dillon to West Hills Village in Rapid City to be closer to Elaine's family members. John passed in April of 2010. Elaine was a friend to all she met. Ever gracious, ever charitable, ever kind - she was the Mother Ship to every member of her two families and their extended families. She encouraged, supported, loved and cared for each one. If she crossed your path - you remembered her. She was that "classy lady" so often described to her loved ones by people who barely knew her as well as by those who knew her all her life. Elaine was predeceased by her parents, her husband's W.J. Hjort and John Seidensticker, her sister Corinne Bailey, her son Tim, her daughter-in-law Carol Jane, her step-daughter Judy Strong, and her special niece, Jane Bailey. She is survived by her sister June Herman (Arlo), brother Charles Willey (Alexis), son Barry Hjort (Sandi), daughter Susan McKeown (Paddy), grandchildren Kirt Hjort (Renata), Shannon Paikos (Michael), Luke Hjort, Megan Kajin, Matthew Kajin, and Michael Kajin; great-grandchildren Kyle Elder, Olivia and Nick Paikos; as well as her Seidensticker children Jack (Susan), Jim (Ann Fran), Jerry (Carol), Jeanne Pusey (Greg), Jeff (Patty), Judy's husband Keith Strong and her beloved Seidensticker grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorial Services are scheduled as follows: Rapid City, SD (Saturday, February 15 at 2:00 p.m., South Park United Church of Christ, 2201 3rd St.); Dillon, Montana (Tuesday, February 18 at 2:00 p.m., Dillon Grace United Methodist Church, 131 E. Bannack St.); and Medicine Lake, Montana (Friday, February 21 at 3:00 p.m., Union Congregational Church) with internment to follow at the Medicine Lake Cemetery. Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, 2700 Jackson Boulevard, Rapid City, SD 57702 in charge of arrangements and an online guestbook may be signed at www.osheimschmidt.com