Elaine Doris Miesen

Elaine Doris Miesen was born on the farm north of Vesta on May 13, 1928, the only daughter of Herbert and Irene (Heimer) Kohlhof.  She attended 2 country schools near Vesta until 4th grade when the family moved to a farm site north of Redwood Falls.  Elaine then attended school in North Redwood through 8th grade and graduated from Redwood High School in 1946.  She then took teacher’s training in Lamberton and taught 2 years in country schools.

In 1949, Elaine was married to Tom Miesen of Springfield at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Redwood Falls.  The couple was married for 62 years.  They raised 8 children and were grandparents of 20 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren and expecting 3 more.

Elaine was a member of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church.  She served on many boards including the first St. Raphael’s school board, the Chamber of Commerce board, and the Springfield Library board.  Elaine enjoyed visiting with family and friends, watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins, reading, playing cards, bingo at her apartment building, praying the rosary, dessert, finding a good bargain and organizing family get-togethers, which usually included her changing the plan several times.

She was a homemaker until 1962 when the couple opened the Color Center in downtown Springfield where she worked part time.  In 1983, they moved into the upstairs apartment over the store, and she lived there until 2017 when she moved into the Downtown Estates.

Elaine died on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at the Sleepy Eye Medical Center at the age of 94.

She is survived by her 8 children - Dan (Maureen) of Springfield, Deborah (Darrell) Myers of Springhill, FL, Lucinda (Scott) Lund of Fridley, Victoria (Jerry) Schultz of Springfield, Mary Munson of Albertville, John (Ann) of Lake George, James (Deb) of Springfield, and Susan (Peter) Kaas of Coon Rapids; 20 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and expecting 3 more; brothers - Denton (Eileen) and Bill (Roberta) Kohlhof; sister-in-law Nancy Kohlhof and many nieces and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, husband Tom in 2011, brothers - Douglas (Carla) and Gilbert.