Elaine M. Kinnett, 73

Elaine M. Kinnett, 73, of Eugene, Ore., died peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007, with her family and friends at her side.

Funeral services were Thursday, Dec. 20, at Burn’s Riverside Chapel Florence Funeral Home.

Elaine Marie Nielson was born Feb. 26, 1934, to Axel and Martha Nielson of Lincoln.

In 1952, she married Edgar “Ed” Kinnett of Haigler, and was widowed in 1997. She was later blessed with finding her life partner, Albert W. Miller, of Florence, Ore.

Al and Elaine moved from Florence to Eugene with their two dogs, Misty and Cody. Cody became Elaine’s dog, and followed her every move, while Misty demanded her attention but remained Al’s dog. The dogs went everywhere with the couple and were treated just like their children.

Elaine loved to travel the world, and went to places like Hawaii, Colorado, Beijing, Vietnam, China, Singapore and the British Isles. She loved to cruise and was fortunate enough to have gone on more than 18 cruises with her friends and family. Her most recent cruise was in November with her daughter, Kathy, granddaughter, Ashley, and good friends. Daniel and Ryan.

Family and friends were able to share memorable times and take photos of a fun trip that will never be forgotten.

Elaine loved to be with her family and friends, even if it was just sitting together and watching TV. It was the time that counted. She loved flying and very much enjoyed meeting all the wonderful people during the long journeys she made – each and every one of them left a foot-print on her heart. Elaine was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, friend and soul mate. She always made new friends to spend a little time with.

She is survived by her partner-in-life, Al Miller; daughters, Jeannie Pierson, Kathy Caufield and life partner, Chris Cyphers; grandchildren, Jeremy Masters and wife, Juclyn, Brian Caufield, Kassie Masters-Broner and husband, Bounder Broner, Natalie Pierson, Ashley Collins and life partner, Daniel Hann (“the one grandma considered one of her own”), and Jonathan Pierson; great-grandchild, Jasmine Broner; brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Sarah Nielson; and her dogs. She also leaves behind all her wonderful friends who loved her and were so special to her.

In addition to her first husband, Ed, she was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Robert Nielson; and a sister, Janet Storz.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~