Elaine Tisch

Elaine was born September 19, 1923 in Lidgerwood, ND to Oscar and Clara Lentz. She was the oldest of five children. Elaine was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Country Church of Lidgerwood. She attended rural schools, graduating from Lidgerwood High School in 1942. During WWII she worked in Minneapolis. On June 28, 1944 she was united in marriage to Walter Tisch. They farmed outside of Lidgerwood and raised four daughters. In 1966, Elaine graduated with a B.S. in Education from Northern State College, Aberdeen, SD. She taught public school in Lidgerwood and finished her education career as a guidance counselor for eight years at the Wahpeton, ND Indian School.

In October 1979, Elaine and Walter sold their farm and retired on Lake Brophy in Alexandria, MN. Elaine actively volunteered serving her community at Knute Nelson, reading to the blind, helping with prison ministry, and many various causes. In 2009, Elaine was honored with the Douglas County Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year award, winning a trip to the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul.

Above all her volunteering, her passion was serving at her church, Zion Lutheran in Alexandria. Elaine’s greatest treasure was her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. You could count on her reading her daily devotions and praying. Elaine lived a favorite saying, “JOY—Jesus first, Others second, Yourself third.” She was the family matriarch and the “911 grandma” whom all the grandchildren confided in, due to her wisdom and advice cultivated from her years as a guidance counselor.

On Monday, December 2nd, 2019, at the wise and seasoned age of 96 years old, Elaine passed away, surrounded by her loving family, at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Alexandria. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Clara Lentz; loving husband of 58 years, Walter; brothers, Herman and Kenneth Lentz; infant sister, Johanna Lentz, and sons-in-law, John Brackin, Bruce Howick, and many other loved ones.

Elaine leaves behind four daughters, Claudette Howick of Federal Dam, MN, Paulette Brackin of Brainerd, MN, Carol (Arnie) Novotny of Mesa, AZ, and Beth (Gary) Bohannon of Alexandria, MN; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; sister, Lucille Cruickshank of Sheridan, OR; sister-in-law, Phyllis Lentz of Lidgerwood, ND, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 9th, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria at 11:30 AM, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment to follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran School, 300 Lake St. Alexandria, MN 56308.