Elaine Carol Strahm

Elaine was married for 54 years to her high school sweetheart, Lee Edward Strahm, until his death in January 2003. They were parents to three children: Richard Strahm, Steve Strahm, and LaReine Chetcuti. LaReine preceded her mother in death by just 10 days, passing on November 5, 2021 in Concord, California.

Elaine grew up on a farm in Rock Creek, Oregon. She lived the first half of her long lifetime in Oregon state, and for the past 47 years in Mesa, Arizona. She loved Arizona, including the heat, but cherished friends from many places.

She worked as a telephone operator in her youth, and later worked part-time at Empire Machinery in Mesa, where her husband Lee held a post for many years. Elaine felt her key roles were that of wife to Lee and mother to their three children. She was the proud grandmother of Joshua and Jeremiah Stephens, Kevin Strahm, and Kelli Strahm Buczek. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren.

Always cheerful and optimistic, Elaine brought joy to her family and friends. She also had a strong faith in God that she expressed often to all who would listen. She was a Bible teacher during her later adult years, serving the Lord at several churches in the Phoenix area.