After a life of love and quiet grace, Elaine Cushing, 93, has passed.
These are the contours of a life that meant a great deal to many.
The story begins in 1924, with the arrival of a life that would be cherished by many.
Elaine held deeply to the Methodist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
Some find their compass in faith. Elaine was among them.
Elaine Cushing, 93, of Sioux Falls, passed away on March 10, 2018 at the Bethany Home in Brandon, SD. Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD. Burial will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. In Lieu of Flowers, please donate to Avera Hospice or the charity of your choice. Elizabeth Elaine Powley was born September 22, 1924, to Lynn Abel and Beulah (Armstrong) Powley in Woodbine, Iowa. Elaine returned to her Maker on March 10, 2018 at age 93 after an extended illness. Elaine was raised and educated in Woodbine and is still a member of the Woodbine Methodist Church. She was united in marriage to William (Bill) Cushing on October 10, 1941, in Cameron. Missouri. The couple operated the Hamburger Hut and the Cushing Family Toggery in Woodbine, Iowa. In the early 1950's they joined Bill's dad in the Telephone Construction business. They installed new dial Telephone Exchanges, and the family moved to several towns including Dalhart, TX, Hurley SD, Moville and Keystone IA. In 1959, Bill and Elaine purchased Elbow Lake lodge in Manitoba, Canada. Their summers were spent serving fishermen and women 42 miles by water from Cranberry Portage Manitoba on an island on Elbow Lake. They had accommodations for up to 16 to 20 guests in 4 cabins and a main dining lodge. During the winters they lived in Hurley, Sioux Falls SD and Woodbine IA. During this time Elaine worked at Ravens Industries in Sioux Falls and started "Mother Goose Nursery School" which provided child daycare for several years. They ran the lodge until 1986, after which they retired in Woodbine. In the later years Elaine and Bill spent many winters at Paradise Park in Pharr TX. Husband Bill died in 1996, and Elaine lived in Woodbine for a couple years, and then moved to Yankton SD to be close to her daughter Barb and son-in-law Wayne Nielsen. Elaine then relocated to Trail Ridge Senior Living in Sioux Falls, where she was close to her son Bill, his wife Kay, and many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Survivors include her daughter, Barbara and husband Wayne Nielsen of Yankton. S.D. a son, Bill and wife Kay of Sioux Falls, 6 grandchildren granddaughters Christine (Cushing) Provance, Catherine Cushing and Laura (Nielsen) Waltrip. Grandsons Michael Nielsen. Kevin Nielsen and Matt Cushing. 13 great-grandchildren, David Provance, Sioux Falls; Emily, Ethan, and Ella Cushing Brandon SD; Joshua Ditmar Minneapolis MN; and Grace Ditmar, Rochester MN; Zachary Nielsen Denver CO; Burke Nielsen Tempe AZ; Wyatt Nielsen, St Peter MN; Nate, Ray Nielsen Sioux Falls SD; Eli and Liam Waltrip Sioux Falls SD. Niece Mary Beth Plowman, Woodbine, IA. Elaine was a very charitable and gracious person and will be missed by us all.
