Elaine May

D. Elaine (Coats) May, 83, of Burnsville, MN, passed away in her home on November 15, 2024, of congestive heart failure.
Elaine was born in Effingham, IL on July 4, 1941, the daughter of Raymond and Lorraine (Hall) Coats. She attended West Side Elementary School and graduated from Effingham High School in 1959. She then attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, MN, where she majored in music.
There she met and married the love of her life, Kenneth May, a Pastoral Studies major, and they were married on June 9, 1962. Following his graduation, they served in pastoral ministry with the Assemblies of God for 50 years in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, and California. Elaine supported Ken in various aspects of ministry–pianist, organist, choir director, church secretary, Christian education director, or wherever needed. Above all, in each role, Elaine served others with kindness, generosity, and her characteristic sweet smile.
In her retirement years, Ken and Elaine relocated to Parkway Cooperative in Burnsville, MN where Elaine became a Wii bowling champion, met new friends, and enjoyed family time with her siblings. She attended Wooddale church, fellowshipped with the Horizons Sunday School class, and cherished the orchestral worship. During Elaine's final year at Regent at Burnsville, she enjoyed exercise classes, bible studies, meals in the dining room, and visits from her devoted family.
Remaining to cherish Elaine's memory are daughters Katherine (Brian) Bopp, Urbandale, IA; Pamela (Scott) Libby, Houston, TX; Stephanie (Ron) Millender, Santa Barbara, CA; and Becky (Shawn) Riggs, Colorado Springs, CO. Eleven grandchildren: Justin (Jolene) Bopp, Katrina (Nathan) Wilson, Aaron Bopp, Scott Libby, Nikki (Josh) Colton, Ashley (Luke) Windmoeller, Marichka (Mike) Libby, Timorie (Mayra) Millender, Ciera (Michael) Yamada, Nate Riggs (Mason Williams), and Chloe Riggs. Eight great-grandchildren: Ren and James Bopp, Steven Wilson, Mario Libby, Lucy Colton, Liam and Aiden Windmoeller, and Maeve Bowers. Sister Deloris Royer. Sister-in-law Sharon Coats.
Preceding Elaine in death are her beloved husband, Ken; parents, Raymond and Lorraine Coats; brothers, Dennie, Leonard, and Dallas Coats; sister-in-law Ruth Coats; brother-in-law Roy Royer; and niece Denise Kachic.
Please join us in celebrating Elaine's life on Saturday morning, November 23, 2024. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. with a memorial service at 11 a.m. White Funeral Home, 12804 Nicollet Ave. S. Burnsville, MN 55337: Brian Bopp and Tom Correll officiating.
Memorial donations in Elaine's memory may be directed to agapehope.com, a pastoral counseling and care ministry for vocational pastors, ministers, and missionaries.