RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA--Elaine V. Wentz, 77, died at Rapid City Regional Hospital on Sunday, January 2, 2011. Elaine V. Strand was born on May 24, 1933, in Brinsmade, ND, to Arnold and Stella (Tangelin) Strand. She grew up in rural Benson County and attended school in Leeds. She graduated in 1951 from Leeds High School. She then attended community college classes in Devil's Lake while working at an insurance firm.Elaine met one of the customers, Leo Wentz, and they were united in marriage in Devil's Lake on September 13, 1954. The couple moved to Crookston, MN for 2 years and then to San Bernadino, CA, for 18 years. The family eventually moved to Rapid City in 1974. Elaine worked for the Post Office in San Bernadino and for the Rapid City Post Office for over 20 years. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Rushmore VFW Post 1273 Auxiliary and Canyon Lake Senior Center. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends and crafts such as sewing and crocheting. Survivors include Elaine's son, Roger Wentz and his wife Gloria, of Rapid City, and their 3 children, Nathan and Nicholas Wentz and Ashley Longbons Wentz; Elaine's son, Bradley Wentz and his wife Sandra, of Rapid City, and their 2 children, Christopher Wentz, his wife, Lindsey and their daughter Brooklin and Steven Wentz; Elaine's daughter, Cheryl Schellinger and her husband, James, of Sheridan, WY and their 2 children, Cody and Cassidy Schellinger. Elaine is also survived by a brother, Rodney Strand and his wife Marlene, of Devil's Lake, ND and a sister, Arleen Axness, of Leeds, ND. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leo in 2001, a son, Randy in 1979, a brother, Mylo Stand and a brother-in-law, Lawrence Axness. Visitation will be on Thursday, from 6 until 7 p.m. at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City, with a Christian wake service following at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 7, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Rapid City. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association.