Elaine Irene Mounsdon

Elaine Irene Mounsdon passed away on July 17th, 2026, at the age of 78, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on November 24th, 1947, to Irvin and Ethel (Sarsland) Walstad in Alexandria, Minnesota. Elaine graduated from Jefferson High School in 1965. Shortly after graduation, she married the love of her life, Craig Mounsdon. Elaine and Craig began dating in 1963 and married on July 9th, 1966, at East Moe Church in Garfield, MN. Craig and Elaine celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary together and reflected on a lifetime of shared memories. After a year of marriage, in 1967, Elaine and Craig welcomed their first child, Monte, and welcomed their second child, Christy, in 1971.

Elaine touched the lives of so many throughout her lifetime. Elaine taught piano lessons for many years and played piano for East Moe Church. One of Elaine’s favorite hobbies was home decorating. She enjoyed this so much that she even had a home décor store in the mall, Paragon Gift Gallery. Elaine’s diligence and hard work was best exemplified through her 45 years of service as a tax preparer through H&R Block. She owned many local offices and managed the business, working tirelessly year-round to help her clients in every way she possibly could. Elaine’s dedication to her thousands of clients was felt throughout the community. Not only was she recognized by the founders of H&R block through personally signed letters, but her continuous efforts were celebrated through many regional and national awards throughout her years as a leader. Elaine was recognized as a top 100 and top 20 franchisee in the nation on two separate occasions for her dedication to service and quality for each of her clients. Despite Elaine’s accomplishments in business, she frequently noted her greatest accomplishment in life as being called “grandma”. She poured into her family with great care and the deepest sincerity. Elaine proudly shared about the many accomplishments of her grandchildren with her clients every year at their tax appointment, telling everyone how proud she was of all of them.

Elaine was preceded in death by her mother and father. Elaine is survived by her husband, Craig; son Monte (Deb) Mounsdon, daughter Christy (Bill) Schmitz; granddaughters Erika (Dan) Willprecht, Elise (Nick) Jones, and Lexi (Eli) Anderson; great-grandsons Colton, Landon, and Nolan Willprecht, and Everett Jones. She is also survived by many of her nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home with a Prayer Service at 6:45 PM. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 10:00 - 11:00 AM at New Life Christian Church in Alexandria with a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at East Moe Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Lake Region Cancer Center in Fergus Falls.