Elaine Kathleen Westring, age 94, of Stromsburg, Nebraska passed away peacefully on January 22, 2025 at her home surrounded by family.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Swede Home followed with a luncheon at the church. A private family inurnment will take place in the Swede Home Cemetery.

Elaine was born December 11, 1930 in Monroe, Nebraska to Carl Edward and Pearl Ann (Taylor) Nansel. She attended country school north of Genoa and graduated from Genoa High School in 1948. At the age of 32 she decided to continue her education and attended York College.

On November 10, 1950 she was united in marriage to Donald James ‘Jim’ Westring in Genoa. To this union three children were born. The family made their home in Stromsburg. Jim’s job took them to Geneva for a few years where Elaine began her entrepreneurial business career as owner of a variety store. Jim and Elaine moved back to Stromsburg where they purchased the Town & Country department store. They then owned and operated the Christian Book & Variety in Stromsburg until 2007 when they sold the business. Elaine’s love of cooking inspired her to open “Flaherty’s” restaurant in Osceola. After selling the restaurant she began her own soap and lotion company “Little Blue River.”

Elaine was very involved in her community serving on various committees and also serving as Mayor of Stromsburg for two terms. She was honored as Swedish Festival Queen and “Mother of the Year”. She was a mentor, teacher, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her creativity was evident in her life, from her love of cooking, to making Christmas wreaths and decorating.

She enjoyed playing Bridge, gardening, traveling and visiting with her friends.

She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Swede Home, where she served on various committees, and Extension Club.
Survivors include her children: Jerry (Joann) Westring of Stromsburg, Dana Westring (Trevor Potter) of Marshall, VA and Jill Westring of Stromsburg; two granddaughters Ashley (Shawn) Prochaska of Stromsburg and Taylor (Nathan) Bender of Humphrey; four great grandchildren: Halsey and Hayes Prochaska and Emma and Easton Bender; sister Mary (John) Nilsson of Lawton, OK; nieces Karna (Martin) Bertucci of TX and Kristen (Todd) Bear of IN; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Pearl Nansel; and husband Jim who passed away September 13, 2008. After Jim’s death Elaine reconnected with a childhood classmate, Don Lloyd of Humphrey and Rochester, MN, who became a beloved member of the Westring family until his death in 2023.

Memorials are suggested to Calvary Lutheran Church, 950 129th St., Stromsburg, NE 68666 for special projects. Cards may be directed to the family at 502 E. 4th St., Stromsburg, NE 68666.

Dubas Funeral Home of Stromsburg and Osceola has been entrusted with arrangements. Dubasfuneralhome.com