Elaine Henken

1936 - 2023

Elaine Louise Leavitt Henken (Henkensiefken) 87, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away, October 6, 2023, with her family by her side.

She was born September 28, 1936, in Idaho Falls to Virgil and Eula Leavitt. Elaine was raised in Idaho Falls and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1954. She met her husband of 68 years, Ray, in Irwin, Idaho, which is where they would eventually retire and build their beloved cabin.

On September 17, 1954, she married Raymond "Ray" Henken. Ray was a submarine sailor, so she became a sailor's wife. Elaine spent the next 15 years moving from Idaho Falls to New London, CT, Newport, RI, San Diego, CA, San Mateo, CA, Pearl Harbor, HI, and McAlester, OK. With Dad often at Sea 6 months at a time, Elaine raised three children by herself until he returned. She expected a lot from her kids, but they still had fun. In San Diego, the family made wonderful trips to the beach in Coronado where they visited her lifelong friend Willa Shafer.

After Ray retired from the Navy, Elaine and Ray moved back to San Diego. After a couple of years there, the family moved to Gautier, MS. They finally returned home to Idaho Falls in 1975 where their family thrived.

Elaine graduated from Gulf Coast Junior College in Gautier. She attended the University of Hawaii and the University of South Alabama. She worked at the Telephone Company and Chaffin Auto in Idaho Falls. Her finest work was raising her family and loving all of us with all of her heart.

In 1984, mom and dad built their beautiful cabin in Irwin. While living in Irwin, Elaine joined the Swan Valley Fire Department and became an EMT. During the next 35 years, Elaine and Ray lived the good life, riding horses and snow machines, fishing, and spending time with friends and family.

Elaine was a superb cook willing to try many a new recipe, which we always referred to as an "Elaine's." 99 times out of 100 these new additions were terrific! She always hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve dinner. She had a special way of bringing people together and loved sharing her delicious food. She was famous in our family for making pies. Her secret was making the best homemade pie crust anyone has ever tasted and of course she perfected the filling.

She was a talented seamstress and specialized in making her daughter Nancy beautiful clothes. She was a book club member and a passionate reader, often finishing a novel in a single day. She loved playing cards, especially Bridge and Quiddler.

As a grandmother, Elaine always had a sweet treat to share. She always wanted to know how her grandchildren and great grandchildren were doing. She cherished time with her entire family and will be missed deeply by them.

Elaine and Ray valued learning and encouraged all of their children to attend college where they all attained multiple advanced degrees.

She is survived by her children Jeffrey L Henken (Linda) and Nancy A. Stewart (Robin), grandchildren Jason Henken (Katie), Jacob Henkensiefken (Heather), Allen Stewart, Jordan Henkensiefken and Mary Stewart, great grandchildren Kacyn, Keldyn and Kyren Henken.

Her parents preceded her in death as did husband Ray, son Raymond A. (Gus) Henken and brothers Darrell and Howard Leavitt.

A memorial for Elaine will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 6, 2023, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 237 North Water Ave. Her ashes will be interred at Fielding Memorial with her beloved husband Ray and son Gus.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.