Elaine GEDMAN

Of Oak Park Heights Was born on December 18, 1925 in St. Louis, MO and died on November 9, 2012 after a brief illness. Elaine left us on a warm, sunny day which was perfectly right for her. She was beautiful and graceful in life and in death. Her husband of 51 years, Donald K. Gedman predeceased her in 1997. She is survived by her son Kent Gedman (Val) of Kansas City; her daughter Nancy Lake-Smith (Chris) of St. Paul; grandchildren Dan Gedman (Robin), Hilary Lammon (Ed), and Anna Lake-Smith; and great-grand-children Elle, Zach, Will, and Alex. Elaine married Don in December of 1945, as he was finishing his tour of duty as a Navy officer. They soon joined the post-World War II generation of young marrieds living in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, raising baby-boomer kids, and commuting into Chicago. They retired to Lake Worth, Florida in 1980, joining many of their lifelong friends from Mt. Prospect. In 2007, Elaine moved to Boutwell's Landing in the Stillwater area to begin another happy phase of her life, where her social calendar would have exhausted someone half her age, right up to the last week of her life. She leaves many good friends in that community. Elaine appreciated her wonderful life and said so often. She cast a spell on everyone she met with her big brown eyes and thousand-watt smile. She was elegant, funny, smart, and usually the most beautiful woman in any room - even at the end of her life. She knew how to give and receive love in infinite quantities. So although we mourn her passing, we are grateful for the time we spent in her warm, sunny presence. Memorials to the donor's choice. Or put on your best clothes, go out to a great restaurant, and raise a toast to Elaine. Then go dancing.