Elaine C. Reynolds

Obituary

Elaine Clara Reynolds was born on May 11, 1929, in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the home of her parents, Edward and Johanna Stuedemann. She was baptized and confirmed in her faith at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe. She graduated from Glencoe High School in 1947. In 1953, she married the love of her life, Clyde A. Reynolds, and they enjoyed a wonderful life together for 51 years.

Elaine and Clyde purchased property on Island Lake near Itasca State Park shortly after they married and spent many happy years going to “the lake.” At first, they had a rustic two-room cabin, and then, after Clyde retired, they built a beautiful lake home, doing most of the construction themselves. After 20 years of lake life, they moved back to Glencoe.

Elaine’s life was defined by her devotion to her family and to community service. She volunteered and led many committees at her daughter’s schools, at the hospitals in both Park Rapids and Glencoe, with Scouting, and most importantly, at her church.  She was the quintessential volunteer. Whenever anyone needed help, she was there.

When she married Clyde, Elaine joined First Congregational United Church of Christ in Glencoe and remained a member there until her death. She was the Sunday School Superintendent, a Deaconess, and a member of Women’s Fellowship for many years. One of the highlights of her time with the church was chairing the committee to plan the church’s 150th Anniversary celebration. Elaine was a longtime and devoted member of the Order of the Eastern Star, belonging to Faith Chapter #32 in Glencoe, Itasca Chapter #70 in Park Rapids, and finally Excelsior Chapter #20. She was a past Worthy Matron. She was proud to receive her O.E.S. 70-year pin in 2024.

Scouting was very important to Elaine. She was a Girl Scout from 4th grade through Senior Scouting, and a Girl Scout leader at both the troop and district level for many years. She was very proud of her grandsons, both Eagle Scouts. Although she worked for a while as a photographer’s assistant at Thiele Studio, Elaine’s true profession was “homemaker.” She loved to cook and bake. She enjoyed needlework and painting. She was also an avid gardener. For many years, she grew vegetables and enjoyed canning. Wherever she lived, she created beautiful flower gardens. Elaine had a sense of adventure and loved to travel. When Clyde retired, they traveled to every state on the US mainland and much of Canada in their motorhome. After Clyde’s passing, she enjoyed several trips with Jane to Canada and Europe.

More than anything, Elaine loved her family, and the moments spent with them were precious to her. She was so excited to be a grandma and to be great-grandma “Gigi.” To her extended family, she was the ultimate genealogist, the organizer of family reunions, and the storyteller who helped keep the stories of her ancestors alive. Elaine’s legacy will live on in the stories she shared and the love she gave to her family. She was a powerful role model for her family, instilling in them the importance of leadership and service. She will be deeply missed.

Elaine passed peacefully in her sleep at Eagan Pointe Senior Living in Eagan on February 27, 2026, at the age of 96 years and 9 months.

Elaine is survived by her:
Daughter, Jane Reynolds Tunseth of Eagan, MN;
Grandsons, Devin Tunseth and his wife, Amber Kerk of Middleton, WI, and Braden Tunseth and his wife, Autumn Reinert of Eagan, MN;
Great-grandsons, Arthur Tunseth and Julian Tunseth of Middleton, WI;
Many other relatives and friends.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Edward H. and Johanna (Miller) Stuedemann; her husband, Clyde A. Reynolds; and her brother, Elmer H. Stuedemann.