Elaine Helen Engelbrecht

Elaine Helen Engelbrecht, 83, of Garretson, passed away on Sept 6, 2008 at the Dougherty Hospice after a brief and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, September 11, 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church, Garretson. Visitation will begin at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, with the family present from 6-8:00 P.M. at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson.

Elaine Helen Julson was born in Minnehaha County, South Dakota on October 20, 1924, to Juel and Edna Julson. She was raised in the Garretson area, attended Country School at District 58 during her elementary years, and graduated from Garretson High School. She was baptized and confirmed at Palisade Lutheran Church in Rock County, Minnesota.


Elaine was united in marriage to Melvin Dale Engelbrecht on March 14, 1944 in Laurinburg, North Carolina, in the Chapel on Maxton-Laurinburg Army Base. They resided in Flandreau, SD briefly, and then moved to Garretson. Elaine devoted her life to her family and her friends. She loved cooking, traveling, reading, and gardening. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Grateful for having shared her life are her 5 children and their spouses, Harley and Judy Engelbrecht of Renner, Alan and JoAnn Engelbrecht of Brandon, Daryl and Carol Engelbrecht of Brandon, Brad and Erin Engelbrecht of Parker, and Lori and Tim Murray of Garretson, 13 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren. Brother Paul Julson and wife Ruby of Garretson, sister-in-laws Miraim Engelbrecht, St Johns Newfoundland and Dorothy Engelbrecht, Wasau, Neb., and special friends Larry and Doreen Howey of Brandon.

She was preceded in death by Mel, her husband of 60 years, her parents, one brother Harley, and a sister Eunice Sathre.