Elaine E. Olijnek

Elaine Olijnek, 79, of Ramsey, MN, passed away in her sleep on Monday, May 11, 2020. Beloved wife of Robert, devoted mother of Andrea (Tom) and Lance (Carolyn); joyous grandmother to Brad (Casey) and Bryce. She will be deeply missed.

Elaine was born November 18, 1940 in Deer Creek Township, Otter Tail County, MN.  She was the daughter of Reino and Hilma (Jaaska) Salo, and sister of the late Arnold and Erwin Salo. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from New York Mills High School in 1958.

Elaine worked as a marketing secretary at Honeywell where she met Bob. Married in 1962, Elaine and Bob genuinely enjoyed time together, whether traveling or relaxing at home.  They were married for nearly 58 years.

Elaine was a stay-at-home mom until Andrea and Lance were in Junior High School, then returned to work for Independent School District 11 and retired in 2000 after nearly 20 years at Target Corporation where she was an Executive Administrative Assistant.

Elaine was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, Anoka, Minnesota.  She was a voracious reader, enjoyed many forms of needle work, and decorated elaborate cakes that her family enjoyed.  She had a dry, but lightning-quick sense of humor throughout her life that remains in our hearts.  Bob & Elaine loved to travel, making annual trips to the North Shore, numerous cross-country road trips, and enjoyed cruises to Alaska, Norway, and the Baltic Sea in later years.  There, Elaine had the opportunity to visit Finland, the home of her ancestors.  Most of all, Elaine enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Preceded in death by parents Reino and Hilma, and brothers Arnold and Erwin Salo.

Survived by husband, Robert Olijnek; daughter, Andrea (Tom) Scheuzger; son, Lance (Carolyn) Olijnek; grandsons, Bradley (Casey) Olijnek, and Bryce Olijnek; and many other loving family and friends.

Private family services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka, MN.

Due to the present COVID pandemic, a memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made in Elaine's name to the Parkinson's Foundation.

www.parkinsonsfoundation.org .

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home, Anoka, 763-421-0220