Elaine B. Kulju

McGREGOR -- Elaine B. Kulju, age 73, of McGregor, died Sunday, March 21, 2004, at her home.

Elaine was born Dec. 20, 1930, at Amery, Wis., the daughter of Omey and Eveleth (Schock) Sylte. She was baptized in Amery, Wis., and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minn. Elaine attended various elementary schools and then moved with her family to Lawler, Minn., and she graduated from the McGregor High School in 1948. Following high school, Elaine attended Bethesda Lutheran School of Nursing, graduating in 1952 with a degree in registered nursing. She worked at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., from 1952 to 1964. At the time she left her nursing career, she was head nurse of the obstetrics unit. Elaine was united in marriage to Raymond Kuljo on Dec. 12, 1964, in St. Paul, Minn. She and her husband built the Sandy River Camp and owned and operated North Country Gifts and Floral in McGregor. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries, the Ladyslipper Garden Club, McGregor Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bethesda Alumni Association. Elaine enjoyed floral design, crocheting, knitting, playing board games and spending time with her family.

Elaine is survived by her husband, Raymond of McGregor; eight children and spouses, Jack (Beverly) Kulju of Apple Valley, Calif., Tom (Andrea) Kulju of Hastings, Minn., Kerry (Ray) Nelson of Goodland, Minn., Karl Kulju of Hastings, Minn., Eric (Greta) Kulju of McGregor, Toni (Brett) Pugsley of Hastings, Minn., Kris (Paula) Kulju of Brainerd, Minn., and Trell Kulju of Thief River Falls, Minn.; 12 grandchildren, Lisa, Patric, Michael, Brittney, Jacob, Jennifer, Peyton, Cameron, Anna, Cheryl, Michelle, Amy; special friends, Vicki Heckman and Judi Bruggeman; two brothers, Omey Dale (Janet) and Dwayne (Mary) Sylte, all of Rice Lake, Wis.; and nine nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, four uncles and three aunts.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 27, 2004, at 11 a.m. from Grace Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dan Heath officiating. Burial will be in the Salo Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Elaine's children. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 p.m. at the McGregor Funeral Home with a prayer service at 5 p.m. and will continue Saturday one hour prior to the services at the church. Arrangements are with the McGregor Funeral Home, McGregor, Minn.