Frances Thorland

Elaine Thorland, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2024, in her home surrounded by her family, just three days shy of her 72nd birthday.

Frances Elaine Nelson was born on May 29, 1952 in Lake City, Iowa, the daughter of Glenn and Helen (Glasgow) Nelson. She attended high school in Rockwell City, Iowa. After graduation she attended Waldorf College in Forest City, IA then graduated from Iowa State University with at Bachelors degree in Business and Accounting. The summer before heading to Waldorf she met her future husband in New York City at a Luther League Convention. They were married on August 19, 1972 in Rockwell City, Iowa. After college they moved to southern Iowa and had three daughters. The family then moved to Cannon Falls in the fall of 1982.

Elaine was a woman of great faith, strength and wisdom. She was passionate about sharing her faith with others. She loved music, faith-based podcasts, True Crime TV shows, visiting with her friends and nurses, as well as, bird watching, her dogs, and playing solitaire on her computer. However, there was nothing she loved more than spending time with her grandchildren and giving Joel a real hard time!

She leaves behind her devoted husband of over 51 years, Joel; her three daughters, Amy Thorland, Melissa (Vincent) Seleski, and Kirsten Sachwitz (Joshua Smith); eleven grandchildren, Cole, Hannah, and Katelyn Jenson, Henry, Isaac, Stephen, and Emma Seleski, Colton Sachwitz, Lauren, Lyla and Declan Smith; brother, Dennis Nelson; sisters, Andrea (Gary) Kuhn and Jolene (Scott) Rasty; sisters and brothers-in-law, Renae (David) Sachs and Scott (Lea) Whitcome; many nieces and nephews, along with her friends and beloved nursing staff that took the best care of her.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; father and mother-in-law, Dean and Dorothy Thorland; sisters-in-law, Margaret Nelson and Laurel Whitcome.

Though she may have left this world, her spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her. She will be remembered as a beacon of love and light in the lives of those she touched.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 1 at 12:00 pm, with visitation from 10:00 am-12:00 pm, at Christ United Methodist Church, 29470 Gaylord Avenue, Cannon Falls. This service will be livestreamed and available to view below.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION: For those who would like to participate in Elaine's service via livestream, you can watch the service on Saturday, June 1 at 12:00 pm. It can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of this page and click PLAY to begin. Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall to let the family know you were able to watch the service. If you are having troubles with the Livestream, the service will be available to watch later in the day.