I remember what a sweet person Elaine was. She was quiet and always had a twinkle in her eye. When I think about her I always have a picture in my mind of the Schrenk farm and then the memory of Elaine moving with her family to the “cities”. She was a lovely person.
Elaine A. Schrenk
June 3, 1950 – August 17, 2020
Elaine Ann Schrenk, aged 70, a long-time local resident, died peacefully in St Cloud Hospital after a brave and valiant fight against cancer.
Elaine was born June 3, 1950, the second child of Jerome and Genevieve (Clasemann) Schrenk in Long Prairie, MN. She was the fourth generation to grow up on the family farm homesteaded by her great grandfather. The rolling fields, maple woods, wildlife, farm animals and pets connected her to a universe where she found comfort and peace. With her gentle spirit, she could bottle feed the most skittish of orphaned lambs and calves. And at early age, she was a budding artist and writer.
Elaine attended St Mary of Mount Carmel grade school and Long Prairie High School. When her family moved to Brooklyn Center, MN, she completed her senior year at Robbinsdale High School. Yet, she always identified with her Long Prairie class, attending their reunions. Elaine graduated from St. Cloud State University with a B.S. in Art and a M.S. in Jewelry Design. She combined her passion for working with materials and stains as a Dental Laboratory Technician where she painstakingly made porcelain teeth and bridges for many dental offices in the St. Cloud area. As a perfectionist, she excelled in this art. Later, she worked in the Money Center at Walmart, always attentive to her customer’s needs and averting many from sending money to scam destinations. She also worked part time at Good Earth Food Cooperative, which fit her aesthetic of living healthy.
Elaine was an independent, quiet, caring person who made friends easily and was well-liked. Gifted with a curious, inquiring nature, she studied church history, world religions, archeology, philosophy, art, poetry, nature and nutrition. She found a spiritual home in the Unitarian Universalist Church, where she was an active member. As an accomplished artist, Elaine created many ink drawings and oil paintings. She was a poet, gardener, gourmet vegetarian cook, lover of cats and crossword puzzles; and took long daily walks. Elaine meditated daily for most of her life. She lived mindfully, which she described “can only be expressed with gratitude and joyousness”. She was true to herself.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and two infant brothers, Joseph and Richard. She is survived by siblings Carol Windels (John Jarman), Lois (Bill) McNeil, and Michael Schrenk; special friend Barry Kazmer; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
A memorial service is planned for a later date. Memorials can be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Church in St. Cloud, Tri-County Humane Society, and St. Cloud Housing and Development Authority.
Arrangements with Daniel Funeral Home, www.danielfuneralhome.com
Guestbook
I worked with Elaine at the Walmart money center. She was always hard working and so kind, even to rude customers. She was very enjoyable to work with and get to know. Such a gentle and unique spirit, she most definitely touched a lot of hearts and will be missed. My prayers go out to the loved ones she left behind.
Elaine enjoyed long, daily walks through the city that have left footprints behind of kindness, courage, compassion, inspiration, and faith everyplace she went. She left a bright trail of hope for those of us who remain behind as she now travels along new and more beautiful pathways. Peace and farewell, my friend – you will be missed by so many.
The chalk drawing/picture of a horse she did for me in college will remind me of her as it hangs in the guest bedroom. I remember her from college with her cousin Ginny and more recently of her sharing mostly by email of her many interests. We last met in 2015 and she was just the same as in college, quiet and wonderful. She left us too soon! May God lift up all those who mourn her passing.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family
Thinking of you in your time of grief. Prayers and thoughts are coming your way.