Elaine Roos, age 106, of Miles City formerly of Terry passed away on Monday, August 14, 2017 at her home in Miles City.
On May 9, 1911, Elaine was born in Glendive to Patrick and Jane McGovern, the oldest of six girls and one boy. At one-month old, her Dad took Mother and baby home in a lumber wagon to the homestead tarpaper shack, 14 by 18 feet, 25 miles west of Glendive. The trip from Glendive took two long days.
Water used for drinking and cooking had to be packed to the house by bucket from a spring in the canyon down by the barn. Also, there was a large cistern on the back porch to collect rainwater. She remembers her Dad hauling wet snow in the spring of the year to help fill the cistern.
The root cellar kept potatoes over until spring and other perishables were also stored there. Elaine walked to school about two miles from home. The school was the social center of the community. School was in session 6 or 7 months of the year (depending on funds), except first and second grades went 3 months in the summer.
Elaine graduated from Dawson County High School 87 years ago. She attended Teachers’ College in Dillon for a year and then taught 4 years in the Union community. After 3 years of courtship, Elaine married Joe Roos on May 23, 1936, followed by a big wedding dance at Union Hall.
They rented a farm near Roos’ and then moved to the Roos homestead in 1941 after Joe’s father’s death. They farmed and ranched there until 1976 when the moved to their home in Terry. Elaine moved to the Eagles’ Manor in July of 2012.
Elaine was very active in the Catholic Church, had a strong faith, and volunteered 41 years of continuous service there, some of which included washing alter cloths until they sparkled. She spent numerous hours at the Prairie County Museum and was a 4-H leader for several years.
Between family gatherings, church functions, community center activities and dancing, Elaine had little loafing time. She preferred it that way—no boredom for her. She crocheted doilies for family and friends.
Her husband, parents, one brother, Gerald, and 3 sisters, Lucile, Grace and Ruth, preceded Elaine in death. She is survived by two daughters and one son: Delores (Chris) and their 4 children: Delite (Darren) Dukart, Clark Cameron, Twila (Craig) Lunde and Connie Cameron; Patricia (Francis) Dobrowski in Reno and their 2 children: Michael (Pam) and Teresa (Rick) Connell and John (JoAnne) and sons Mark (Gina) and Todd.
She is also survived by eight great grandchildren: Dani (Tim) Hudson, Tate, Tel and Annika Lunde, Matthew and Andrew Dobrowski, and Nathan and Riley Connell and one great, great grandson, Coy Hudson. Also, sisters Helen Granmoe and Mary Slagsvold survive.
A Rosary and Vigil Service will be held on Friday, August 18, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church in Terry. Burial following immediately at the family plot in the Prairie County Cemetery. Lunch will follow in the Parish Hall basement.
Should friends desire, memorials might be made to Prairie Community Hospital Foundation Endowment Fund, 409 Bowen Street or PO Box 66, Terry, MT 59349 or to the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Friday August 18, 2017
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Saturday August 19, 2017
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Terry, Montana 59349
Service Schedule
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Friday August 18, 2017
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Saturday August 19, 2017
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Terry, Montana 59349
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Tricia & Rick Harding says
Elaine was an amazing woman and such an inspiration. You are all in our thoughts.
Theresa Haughian Deuchar says
Elaine was such a part of the Terry community. Her spirit and caring ways have been passed on to her family through Elaine’s good example. She will be missed by many.
Janice Kaul says
So sorry to hear about Elaine. My thoughts & prayers are with the family.
Martha Crandall says
My sympathy
Linda Koehler says
Words convey so little when hearts feel so much. May time and special memories help ease your sorrow and comfort you and yours in the difficult days ahead.
Jim Lindstrom says
Some of my favorite memories of living in Terry were of Joe and Elaine.They were such great neighbors and friends. Despite our age differences we shared many a laugh! My sincere condolences to Elaine’s family. She holds a very special place in many of our hearts.
Kent and Christie Liles says
So sorry to hear about your mother. My memories of staying with your family during my early years of school will not be forgotten. I still remember your mother telling me how hard it was when she was growing up. I remember her telling me of working for pennies a day, and thinking of being overpaid. What a wonderful hard working woman she was. My sympathy to the family.
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles & Jim Liles says
We will treasure our memories of Elaine, remembering barn dances, sewing lessons, good cooking, and her wonderful spirit – always a smile on her face. You were lucky children to have had such a fine mother. God bless.
Jim (“Butch” )& Mary Ann
Kim Stanton says
Dear Dolores, Chris, Connie, Twila, Craig, and the entire family-
I’m so saddened to read that your sweet Elaine has passed. It was always a delight to see this dear lady sitting up front in Church with Dolores and Connie. She was really something, wasn’t she?! Her life is very inspirational for all of us. Please accept my sympathy and condolences on the loss of a remarkable woman.
Peace, love, and prayers for you all,
Kim Stanton
Jeff and Bonnie Boggs says
Dear Delores and family. I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your Mom and Grandmother. After 106 years of having her and sharing her wonderful life and being a part of that great personality, I can’t even imagine your sadness and feelings of loss. Just in the few years that I had the pleasure of knowing her there is an emptiness that she won’t be a part of the community. I will miss not seeing her in her usual seat at church and watching the love that radiated around her. She was truly a loving lady and will be sorely missed. Love and peace to all of you. Bonnie
Cheryl Lesh Clark says
Elaine was my Montana Grandma when we lived north of Terry…I can still see her standing at her sink always wearing a dress drying the milk separator and smiling and chatting. A wonderful, kind, compassionate and beautiful lady that our family will truly miss. Peace and love to the family she loved.
Lonetta Lesh says
It has been an honor to have Elaine as a friend these many years. A visit to or from Joe and Elaine made that day so very special. There was always the twinkle in her eyes and her genuine smile along with a warm welcome for us. I will forever cherish her memory and the impact she has had on my life. Rest in peace dear friend.
Lloyd & Janeen Schmidt says
Sorry to hear about your mother. She is in good hands.
Janet and Dave Hauptman says
Aunt Delores, Uncle Chris, Delite, Clark, Twila, Connie and families; We will always remember Elaine with fondness. We never saw her that she wasn’t smiling, truly a grace filled lady who loved her family dearly and we do too.
Norma & Harold Peabody says
Dear family and friends of Elaine , You are generations that have loved and enjoyed her life. It is not a wonder to me that she had a long life with her involvement in/and having so many interests. Her gracious smile had a way of making one happy.
Be comforted with your memories.
Pam Rogge says
Delores and family, my condolences on the loss of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Cherish those memories!
Wendy says
I had the honor of meeting Elaine only once, but those few short moments will be ones I will never forget. It seemed to me that I was standing in the very presence of joy, contentment and grace that came from One beyond herself. It made me wish I could speak with her at greater length. May the memory of her life continue to bless those she has left behind.
Marian says
Thinking of you and all the family. At whatever age it’s hard to say”good by”. Just know love and Prayers are with you.
Curt Schwartz says
Delores, Patricia and John – our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and your families. Elaine was a very special lady and I have many fond memories of visiting and Sunday dinners at your house over the years. What a special family. What I remember most is the happiness at your house and the smiles of all of you all of the time. No matter when or where I ran into any of you, it has always been a smile and friendliness that was so special. God Bless all of you, and your mom will be remembered, missed and appreciated by lots and lots of folks.
jeannette says
So sorry for the loss of your mom, she was such a lovely woman, inside and out. I loved her…….Jeannette