R. Elaine Fragodt

December 20, 1932 - February 22, 2020

Elaine Fragodt passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 22; born December 30, 1932 to Gotfred and Hennrietta Peterson; preceded in death by husband, Al, parents, siblings, Edward, Inez, Jean, and favorite brother and partner in crime, Uncle Dale. Elaine leaves behind daughter, Kate and husband David, their children, Brian (Kat) Gausman, and Stacy (Eric) Goodhue and their children; daughter, Karla; grandson John and his love, Christine; "only" son, Dr. Rob Lauf (Kim) and their daughter Savannah and family and son Rob. Elaine also leaves behind her brothers, Herman (Arlene), Leo (Nancy) and many other relatives and friends who loved her. Elaine was an unconventional woman - raised on a farm near Britton, SD, she was never a farm girl. Elaine always knew she needed to make a difference. Elaine attended nursing school at Presentation College in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She was dedicated to her profession. At a time when most woman did not work outside of the home, Elaine was a R.N. for over 40 years. She understood her work truly impacted patients’ lives. She was a woman that lived and thought far ahead of her time. Elaine and Al had so many friends, most important to us all, were the Lauf's - they were not just friends- they were family. The coffee pot was always on and the kitchen was always filled with laughter. We had a wonderful life and Elaine made the world a brighter place. One of her dearest friends and confidants told me, “If someone said let's go, she would go, she didn't ever ask where, she just wanted to go”. She loved her friends and family unconditionally as she loved her church unconditionally. Elaine's grandson, John was her joy. We are so incredibly lucky we had the chance to know her. Elaine was incredibly special, so full of life and so much fun. Memorials are preferred to the Hope Lutheran Foundation.