On Friday, June 10, Elaine Coralynn (Jewell) Wakeman was called home to be with her Lord. Elaine was born on November 26, 1923, to Leon D. Jewell and Beulah B. (Berry) Jewell in Winona, Minnesota.

Having attended Winona Business College 1941-1942, her secretarial skills served her well throughout her life. After marrying Burdett W. Wakeman August 14, 1943, she followed him to Fort Worden, Washington, where he was stationed in the Army and where she served as secretary in the Artillery Engineer Office.
During her years in La Crosse, Elaine worked part-time as a secretary for Trane Company and for Goli Travel Agency. Her secretarial skills were also utilized as she served as secretary to Burdett all throughout his ministry, including ministries in Marion, Minnesota, Mason City, Iowa, Plainview, Minnesota, and La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Onalaska, Wisconsin. Elaine was known for her organizational skills and for her keen sense of accuracy in all that she did.

But most remember Elaine as a preacher’s wife who had amazing talents for hospitality. No matter how short the notice or how many the people, there was always room for more around the table she so masterfully prepared. She had the heart of a servant, one who was truly willing to give her all for the work of the Lord at the side of her husband of 65 years. Elaine combined her secretarial talents with her love for the ministry when she wrote the radio program “Evangel Time” that her husband Burdett hosted for so many years each Sunday morning.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Burdett April 27, 2009, and by her sons-in-law, William Hardiman and Ronald Nelson. She is survived by her daughters Coralynn Nelson of Joplin, Missouri, Cheryl (Richard) Moen of La Crescent, Minnesota, and Rhonda Hardiman of Joplin, Missouri. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Troy (Tamara) Nelson of Joplin, Missouri, Kip (Catherine) Nelson of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Heather (Stephen) Keathly of Laurel, Maryland, Ryan (Sara) Nelson of Olathe, Kansas, and Alyssa (Xavier) Adams of Joplin, Missouri. Elaine also enjoyed nine great-grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren, who also survive her.

A service celebrating her life will be held on Monday, June 20, at 6:00 p.m. at Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory in Joplin, Missouri, with grandsons Troy Nelson, Kip Nelson, and Ryan Nelson performing the services.

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