Elaine Anderson

W. Elaine Maheras Anderson passed away May 3, 2017 at The Gables of Shelley, Bingham County, Idaho. She was under the care of Hands of Hope Hospice.

Elaine was born March 29, 1922 at Twin Pines, Bingham County, Idaho on a toboggan sled to Peter John Maheras and Celia Argenta Miles Maheras.

Elaine grew up in Idaho Falls and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1940 as Valedictorian. In school she was always interested in music and played the flute in the band and the bass violin in the orchestra. She played the piano since she was five years old. At age 60 she took organ lessons at Richs College/BYU-Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho. At age 68 years old she put on an organ concert in the Snow Building at Ricks College/BYU-Idaho.

Elaine married Ralph S. Anderson July 24, 1944 in Bozeman, Montana. Her marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls temple July 12, 1997. Her daughter Barbara was her escort through the temple. Elaine joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on June 13, 1963 and was baptized by Roland Brown and confirmed by Gordon B. Taylor who was her bishop at the time.

In the spring of 1946 she and her husband moved to Rexburg, Idaho where they owned and operated the Anderson Photo Company until she retired on March 1, 1983.

Elaine was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served in various callings: primary pianist, Relief Society pianist, visiting teacher, and an office receptionist at the Rexburg temple.

She loved the outdoors enjoying time at her cabin at Mack’s Inn, Idaho where she spent her honeymoon. She loved to travel going to Hawaii five times. She also enjoyed sewing, reading, cooking, playing golf, and playing bridge. She served as president of the Rexburg Ladies Golf Association four different years. Also, she was president of the Rexburg Senior Center for two years in 1999 and 2000.

Elaine is survived by her son, Gregory S. (Marilyn) Anderson of Idaho Falls, daughter, Barbara (Gale) Chambers of Shelley, eight grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, a sister, Joy Nielsen of Idaho Falls, and a sister in law Dr. Mary Maheras of Billings, Montana.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a great grandchild, Graham Thornley, brothers, Dr. John (Viva) Maheras, Theodore (Barbara) Maheras, Dr. Joseph Maheras, sister, Ruth (Robert) Howard and brother in law, Floyd Nielsen.

At Elaine’s request she wanted to be buried quickly. She only requested a graveside service which was held May 4, 2017 at the Rexburg Cemetery under the direction of Nalder Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank Dr. Paul Gerlach of Idaho Heart Institute, Fairwinds Assisted Living where she lived for four years, The Gables of Shelley where she lived when she passed away, and the staff of Hands of Hope Hospice.