Elaine Marie Flinders

Elaine Marie Flinders was born October 15, 1956 in Flandreau, SD to William and Betty (Fuller) Armstrong, Sr. She was raised on a farm a few miles north of town and spent her childhood riding horses and chasing cows with her 6 siblings. In 1974 she graduated from Flandreau High School and left for Iowa State University where she crossed paths with a curly haired guy who was running for student government. Not only did Sam convince her to vote for him, but also to spend the rest of their lives together. They married in Flandreau on March 5, 1976. The next 46 years were spent chasing after their three children: Nicki, Bob and Pat; along with multiple neighborhood kids as Elaine would mother anyone who needed it; a grandson, Tommy (who loves spending time on their farm playing with all the cats and kittens;) and, of course, more cows. Elaine was known for her goodies and her friends were blessed with many plates of cookies, jars of pickled veggies, tins of caramel corn and bags of deer jerky through the years. She was also a prolific gardener and her spicy tomato juice was legendary, turning bottom shelf vodka into premium bloody marys. In 2020, Elaine was diagnosed with cancer and it looked like she had beaten it, but it came back in August of 2021 and she passed away at the hospital in Primghar, Iowa on March 16, 2022. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Samuel Flinders; daughter, Nicki Flinders; sons Robert Flinders (Sarah) and Patrick Flinders; grandson, Thomas Flinders; sisters Carol Pitts, Ann Brubaker (Mike), Janice Zephier; brothers Douglas (Jackie) and Kenneth. Also her mother-in-law, Shirley "Hoy" Flinders; sister-in-laws Gloria Beckner (Craig), Andrea Flinders, Mary Flinders, Elizabeth Flinders (Chuck) and brother-in-law Michael Flinders (Sharon); lots of nieces & nephews, countless friends and 34 cows. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, William Armstrong Jr and infant brother, Paul Armstrong; father-in-law, James Flinders; sister-in-law, Sarah Robertson; and brother-in-law, Patrick Flinders. A celebration of life will be held at a later date and her cremated remains will remain with family.

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