Elaine Marion Beckstrom

Elaine Marion Beckstrom, of Eden Prairie, MN, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on April 11, 2023, at the age of 89. She was born on Chicago's South Side on September 27, 1933, the daughter of Oscar William, and Anna Sophia Nord. A graduate of Chicago's Hirsch High School, she attended Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. In 1956, she married Ernest (Ernie) Peterson, also of Chicago, and the couple had three children, Janet Peterson of Chicago, Mark Peterson of New Haven, CT, and Laurie Johnson of Eden Prairie, MN. She married William (Bill) Beckstrom in 1993.
She is survived by her three children and their partners, Mary Berta, Mary Woolsey, and Jonathan Johnson; along with a step-son, Mark Beckstrom (Joan); and step-daughters, Bonnie Byman, and Barbara (Kevin) Sweeney. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren, Rowan Peterson, Thomas Peterson, Benjamin (Anissa) Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Katharine Johnson, Elise (Renato) Barraza, Christopher Johnson, Amanda Johnson, Sophia Johnson; her great-granddaughter, Mina Barraza; six step-grandchildren, Haley Byman, Henry Sweeney, Jack Sweeney, Scott Beckstrom, Anne Beckstrom Thrasher, and Thomas Beckstrom; nieces and nephews, Nancy Nord (Ken) Bence, Kristin (Kirk) Lufkin, Michael (Colleen) Nord, and Daniel (Amanda) Nord. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, and her brother, William (Bill) Nord.
Elaine spent the first forty-nine years of her life in Chicago and the southern suburbs, Chicago Heights and Flossmoor, focused on her family and raising her children. She loved gardening, in particular tending to her prized rosebushes, was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Homewood, IL, belonged to two bridge clubs and bowling leagues, and enjoyed singing with a local women's chorus, The Chansonettes. In 1982, Elaine and family relocated to Edina, MN. She spent many happy years working for Valley View Middle School as the executive assistant to the principal until retiring in 1996. Soon after moving to Edina, she became a member of Meetinghouse Church (formerly Colonial Church of Edina), joined the choir, and over the years enjoyed several European trips with the choir. In 2007, Elaine and Bill moved to Eden Prairie, MN, and enjoyed attending Prairie Community Church. In her later years, Elaine loved spending time with her husband, Bill, her children and grandchildren, and her many friends. She traveled extensively throughout her life (in addition to several trips to Europe, she managed to visit almost all fifty US states, including Alaska and Hawaii). She enjoyed volunteering for church-related initiatives and other organizations, was an avid reader, and always kept up to date with current events and politics. All in all, she loved her life.
A memorial service for Elaine will be held at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to Meetinghouse Church in Edina, MN or Prairie Community Church in Eden Prairie, MN.