In Loving Memory of
Elaine Joyce Gary
May 30, 1941 - September 26, 2025
God saw she was getting tired and the cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around Her and whispered, "Come with me".

Elaine Joyce Gary of Sturgis, SD passed away September 26, 2025, with her husband, John, and children, Laura, Cindy, and Jimmy by her side at the Sturgis Hospital Hospice Suite.

Elaine was born on May 30, 1941 in Richey, Montana to Myrtle and Ralph Wienke.  Elaine was the second oldest of six daughters.  Elaine had fond memories of growing up in a small home in Richey.  She said she was often the designated driver when the "Wienke girls" would go out, as she didn't drink.  In later years the "Wienke girls" took some trips together and every time they had pictures taken, they had to take several so they could hopefully find one where everyone's eyes were open, someone wasn't talking or flapping their hands about, and that had all of them smiling at the camera.

After graduating from High School, Elaine moved in with one of her sisters in Glendive, MT and eventually got a job with an Optometrist.  Elaine met John Gary, who was the Assistant Manager at a grocery store in Glendive, while she was applying for jobs.  They dated for a while and were married at the Methodist Church in Richey, MT on September 16, 1962.  They lived in Glendive, MT after they were married and started their family.  Elaine and John have three children, Laura Lee, Cindy Lou, and Jimmy John, along with 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  John, Elaine, and their children moved numerous times and have lived in Glendive, Bloomfield, Richey, and Laurel, Montana as well as Watford City, ND and Spearfish, Rural Whitewood, Boulder Canyon area, and Deadwood SD, sometimes also moving to different rentals and homes in the same town.  Elaine told John many times that they moved too much.

Elaine had many beloved pets, made barbie doll clothes for her daughters, enjoyed working on ceramic pieces and was a very good cook.  Her favorite desserts were homemade chocolate pudding and chocolate cake from her mother's recipes.  She was usually soft spoken and loved to visit and have coffee with family and friends.  Elaine was a devoted and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister,  and friend to many.

Elaine had several jobs in her lifetime to include working at a movie theater in Richey, worked for an Optometrist, Dairy Queen, homemaker and stay at home mom, babysitting out of her home, cared for 2 neighbor ladies in Richey by doing their laundry, cleaning and even cooking for them, and did the bookkeeping for their hardware stores in Richey, Watford City, and Deadwood.  She also worked at First International Bank in Watford City.  Elaine loved spending time with her family.  She loved going shopping with her girls and having family around her.  She enjoyed having coffee on Tuesdays with a group of ladies in her older years, playing Farkle, and going out to dinner with John and friends.

Elaine was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in December of 2019.  As this horrible disease progressed, she and John moved to an Assisted Living facility in Sturgis.  She was able to continue to do many things she enjoyed, but gradually her disease affected her quality of life.

Preceding Elaine in death were her parents; sister, Judy; brother-in-laws; and nephews.

Elaine is survived by her husband, John Gary; daughters, Laura (Aldon) Olson of Williston ND and Cindy (Les) Bellet, of Lead SD; son, Jimmy (Ester) Gary of Monument CO; grandchildren, Tyler (Amber) Theil, Meghan (Devin) Kvernum, Chance (Jarael) Theil, Mandi Olson, Brooke (Chad) Anderson, Danielle (Tyler) Evenson, Grant Bellet, John "JC" (Rachel) Gary, Austin Gary, Brandon Gary, and Michael Gary; along with 12 great-grandchildren.

Elaine's husband, children, and all who knew her will love and miss her and cherish their loving memories.

Letter to My Mom in Heaven
They say there is a reason
They say time will heal;
Neither time or reason
Will change the way I feel.
Gone are the days we used to share,
But in my heart you are always there.
The gates of memories will never close;
I miss you more than Anybody knows…
Love and miss you everyday
Till we meet again Always & Forever.
We Love You Mom!

Cards may be sent to:
John Gary
C/O Kinkade Funeral Chapel
1235 Junction Ave.
Sturgis, SD 57785

At Elaine's request, cremation has taken place and no immediate services are planned.