Elaine Pierce

It was in the James Chorale(headquartered at First St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Chicago) that I met Elaine, in the late 70's. She had an angelic voice, and our director, James Rogner, would have her perform occasional solo parts. Although I did not have the opportunity to know her better, I remember that she was light-hearted and gracious to all. Then, decades later, I saw the item about her receiving immigrants into her home. We need dozens more like Elaine! I forwarded that article to some of her fellow singers of long ago. Belated condolences to her family and friends, who truly knew her.
Tanya Combes (when in the Chorale) - now Tanya (nee) Evanoff

One of many memories I have of Joan was when we were listening to some new PDQ Bach record. We laughed our heads off. It was many of the fun things I remember.

I am so sorry to hear about Elaine's passing. I have fond memories of her and her children. Elaine had a beautiful voice. I remember the days she would drive me to choir. She was also my Sunday school teacher at one point in my life. She will be dearly missed. I'm extremely sorry Trinity. We love you. Clarke Tracy

Elaine was a beautiful caring woman, I live next door to her daughter Trinity.
Elaine always talked to my son & I. One day she rang my doorbell and when I answered her she said "do you like biscuits " and I said yes and she handed me one. I was making breakfast at that time and that biscuit was perfect addition to my breakfast.
You will be missed, sorry we didn´t get a chance to chat more.
My deepest condolences to Trinity and rest of family.

Lola

Joan was my first cousin, through our father, Gaylord Edvenson - and his sister, Joan´s mother, Maurine Riskedahl. We four `city kids´ in Chicago would be piled into the station wagon with our bags for many childhood summers, and driven to the `farm in Iowa,´ where we would attempt (for a couple weeks about) to live the farm life with the grace and happiness we saw in Maurine and Jasper´s four kids. I got paired with Joan´s sister, `Becky,´ and Joan with my sister, Anne. We´d play all day, but sometimes helped out with a bit of kitchen work, or `crop´ work? (cleaning beans, as I recall), got stung by bees, had adventures, took long walks.
I saw Joan as one of the brightest happiest lights in the family, simply ebullient. She didn´t laud her smarts or pretty looks over any one. She didn´t talk back. She didn´t grouse. She was full of energy, she was always smiling. Full of sunshine on the farm.
Her life became challenging in many ways later, but I wanted to mention this childhood period since, for me, that´s when I knew her best. It embodied her unbridled joy in living and her infectious enthusiasm for good. Later, I knew her for her heartwarming hospitality as my neighbor in Oak Park for some years. I always saw her give comfort to folks who needed it, even when she needed some herself.
I now live in Norway, married to a Norwegian for 25 years now. And from here, I see her as the poster child of Norway´s proud nationalism traditions in art, the perfect poster child for the western Norway girl. I see her face in so many Norwegian art and history presentations. She´s still alive, and she´s wandering the hills and mountains, taking care of the cows and sheep in the summer. Or she´s sewing her own bunad dress, which she´ll wear to the Independence parade on May 17th.
I´m so sad that she´s left us but I wanted to send all who loved her and still do my condolences, knowing that her spirit actually lives on in them. Be free and full of love.
-June Edvenson

Thank you for everything you did to help the immigrants in our community. History will remember you fondly. My deepest condolences to her loved ones.

I met (Joan) Elaine on our first day of college and we became great friends. Life sometimes took us in different directions but when we got together, as she said, we just picked up where we left off.

I have endless stories of adventures, wallpapering and picking strawberries, getting lost while driving and talking, her gift of making things beautiful, her quirky humor and her strength to carry on.

I will hear her beautiful voice at every Taize service, every choral concert, in every hymn, singing with all the company of angels.

We loved each other so much.