Elaine Ruth Roesch

She was the beloved daughter of Alvin Messer Matthews (1912-1989) and Virginia Earle Greene (1914-2006). Elaine's adventurous spirit was evident from a young age, as she cherished hiking with her father through the woods of Maine and joining him in mountain climbing expeditions. After graduating from Bangor High School in 1950, she met Robert Clark, a young airman from Nebraska, whom she married in 1952 in Bangor.

The couple settled in Elmwood, Nebraska, where Robert's family owned and operated a grain elevator. Despite the vast differences between the plains of Nebraska and the rocky coasts of New England, Elaine immersed herself in the community as a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church and served as Postmaster of the local Post Office for many years.

After her divorce from Robert in 1989, Elaine found love and married Skyle Miller in 1991. This joyous union lasted until Skyle's passing in 1995. Elaine then relocated to Fort Collins, Colorado to be closer to her children and grandchildren. In 1999, she married Ronald Brunkhardt from Sterling, Colorado, who passed away in 2012. During Ron's final year, Elaine tirelessly traveled between Fort Collins and Sterling to be by his side, exemplifying her selflessness and dedication to those she loved.

In 2015, Elaine found companionship once more when she married Jerry Roesch and became part of a generous family who helped care for her in her final years including Jerry’s daughter Sally Chapin (Sean).

Elaine was predeceased by her husbands and a brother, Ernest Raymond Messer of Ellsworth, Maine. She is survived by her three children: Alan Clark of Tucson, Arizona, David Clark (Toria) of Erie, Colorado, and Cathy Kechter (Mike) of Fort Collins, Colorado. Her legacy extends to her six grandchildren: Jesse Clark (Irene) of Klirou, Cyprus, Caleb Clark (Coreena) of Las Vegas, Nevada; Heidi Clark (Sean) of Nederland, Colorado; Noah Clark (Katie) of Johnstown, Colorado, Dr. Jacob Kechter of Phoenix, Arizona, and Nicholas Kechter (Patricia) of Denver, Colorado. Additionally, she leaves behind great grandsons Milo and Tyler and numerous stepchildren and step-grandchildren.

Elaine's life was marked by her boundless generosity and commitment to serving others. She dedicated a decade of her life as a volunteer with Larimer County Hospice, offering comfort and support to those in need. An accomplished baker renowned for her delicious cookies, Elaine also discovered a passion for watercolor painting in her later years. Her legacy as a caring and compassionate individual who always put others first will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A celebration of her life will be held on Monday, June 3rd at noon at Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W Drake Rd in Fort Collins. Elaine loved flowers or in lieu of flowers, if you wish, donations can be sent to Pathways Hospice Care in Fort Collins.