Elaine Ruth Jackson

Born to Oscar J. Lorvig and Lilian Henrietta (Andersen) Lorvig of Chicago, Elaine Ruth Jackson opened her eyes to the world on March 20th, 1926. The world never knew what hit it. Elaine tackled everything with quick wit and a twinkle in her eye. This included her high school sweetheart, James Jackson. At the sweet age of 17 years the two were wed on June 26th, 1943 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. They headed to Indiana three times to get married sooner, but ran out of money or time. (Turns out you could get married at 16 in Indiana.) After VJ day, James called Elaine to tell her he was coming home, nearly missing his train. Ultimately, they were married for just short of 70 years.

They were some of the earliest civilian families at the newly established Air Force base, K.I. Sawyer. James had transferred when O”Hare AFB became a civilian airport. James worked in the tool crib and supply handing out the tools and equipment that built the base. Elaine worked at the dispensary before the base hospital was built. Later she worked at SAC, was a part time court reporter and finished her career in procurement at the base hospital.

When her son John was paralyzed in a diving accident in 1963 she spent months with him at U of M hospital and fought for him and watched over him like a mama bear. He recalled that in recent years and gave her credit for his making it through the ordeal. Later she worked her job and after work took care of John for a number of years before he ventured out on his own. He was successful because he inherited her determination and made good use of it.

Her twinkle and her devious smile stuck with her for many, many years until time started catching up with her. Dementia and Alzheimer’s slowly robbed all of us of Elaine. Her daughter Janet spent 14 years caring for her every day until the very end. While everyday life became more of a struggle, she still tried to give her hospice nurses a smile and a wave. She passed away January 30th, 2022.

She is survived by her daughter Janet, her grandchildren Jennifer (Rick) Neal, Jeffrey (Kate), Elena (Philip) Gorrow, Jason (Yvonne) , James (Dolly), and Jena (Tristan Penokie), her grandchildren Zach and Jake Neal, Inara and Viggo Jackson, and Samuel, Janet, and Connor Jackson. Her sister in law Alice Dempsey and her extended family.

Thank you to UP hospice for the absolute wonderful care she received. A special thank you to Brittany Guare, who could always get that smile out of Grandma even on the darkest of days. Words cannot express our profound gratitude. Also many thanks to all the nurses, especially Tracy Flinn, who gave her dignity and respect in her final days and hours, and to Dr. Vernette Carlson and her staff. What an amazing team!
Elaine will laid to rest between her husband and her son in the family plot at Rock Cemetery.

“Uff da and toodle loo.”