Elaine E. DeBuhr

Elaine E. DeBuhr, 93, of La Crosse and formerly of Coon Valley, passed away Wednesday, February 15, in La Crosse, WI after a brief illness. Born to Elnor and Esther (Knutson) Anderson in Coon Valley, she lived in Coon Valley and Lake Geneva in her childhood, returning to Westby where she graduated from Westby High School. She attended Luther College, where she met her future husband, Calvin DeBuhr. Following her graduation in 1944 she began a teaching career in Spring Grove, MN.

Elaine and Cal were married on July 12, 1947, at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran church. Cal's 20-year career in the Navy took them all over the U.S.A. After Cal's retirement from the Navy in 1963, they settled in St. Paul, MN and eventually retired to Coon Valley in 1983. Although Elaine traveled widely, she always thought of Coon Valley and the surrounding area as the most beautiful in the world.

Elaine was an energetic, charismatic woman with a wonderful sense of humor and passions that included music, reading, walking, travel, the Girl Scouts, Norskedalen, her faith and the Church. She was always proud of her Norwegian heritage and was happiest surrounded by her family.

She will be deeply missed by her daughters Anne Hunter (Stephen), Mary Pesta, Elaine DeBuhr (Robert Rumbolz), and seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, nieces, cousins, and her dear friends Alice Marie Sather and Winnifred Stigen. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Calvin, and daughter, Heather Anderson.

Special thanks to the health care providers at Gundersen Health System and Hillview Care Center for providing comfort in Elaine's final days and to the ministry of English Lutheran and Coon Valley Lutheran for their spiritual support.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 8, 2pm, at Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Mitzi Miyamoto will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held at the church from 1 p.m. until service time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Coon Valley Lutheran Church youth programs, Norskedalen, and the C.H. and Elaine E. DeBuhr Scholarship at Luther College.