Elaine M. Bialke, 93, a longtime resident of Park Rapids, MN, passed away after a short illness on December 13, 2020, in Peachtree City, GA.

A third generation descendent of Norwegian immigrants, Elaine was born to Edward and Josephine Johnson on January 28, 1927, on the family farm near Hoople, ND. After graduating from high school, she attended business college in Grand Forks, ND, and was employed in the newspaper and insurance industries. A few years later, in 1949, she met and married the love of her life, H.J. “Dutch” Bialke, and together they had eight children.

Elaine will always be remembered for her kind and gentle nature, beautiful smile, and the quiet zeal with which she embraced every day of her life. She was a great listener, a friend to so many, and always enjoyed sharing a cup of coffee. The greatest joy in her life was being a wife and mother and raising eight children who all adored her.

During the years that she lived in Park Rapids, Elaine was an active member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Eagles Club Auxiliary, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was involved in supporting several charities, including the American Cancer Society and the National Kidney Foundation. She also enjoyed traveling to visit her children and their families, was an avid card player, and loved attending plays and concerts.

Grateful for having shared her life are Elaine’s children: Mary Ann (Charles) Cruz of Sharpsburg, GA; Claudia (Dennis) Debner of Sharpsburg, GA; Katherine (Harvey) Karger of Maple Grove, MN; John (Sheri) Bialke of Eagle, ID; Barbara (Douglas) Bishop of Tallahassee, FL; William (Anne) Bialke of Trumansburg, NY; Joseph (Kathryn) Bialke of Mandan, ND; and David (Malca) Bialke of Brooklyn Park, MN.

Elaine will also be lovingly remembered by her 18 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband in 2005, her parents, her brother Glenn Johnson, and her sisters Norma Pavek and Eleanor Thompson.

At a future date, Elaine’s family will share plans for a Celebration of Life memorial to be held in Park Rapids, MN.

The family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation, 1086 Hwy 54 W, Fayetteville. Messages of condolance may be left at www.GeorgiaCremation.com.