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Elaine Mae Gilkerson was born on Feb. 27, 1927, at home in Mapleton, Iowa, to Robert Hart Gilkerson and Blanche Mae (McCleerey) Gilkerson. She passed away March 15 at the age of 91 years, 16 days.

She attended school in Mapleton and one accomplishment she was proud of was winning the Spelling Bee in 4th grade. She graduated with the class of 1945, which has been a very close-knit graduating class; they enjoyed many reunions through the years, many exchanging Christmas cards throughout their adult lives.

She married Dewaine C. Chamberlain on July 26, 1948, and to this union five children were born. She was a stay-at- home mom, always assisted in Dewaine's electrical business, worked at Reed's Furniture store, and as a member of the Legion Auxiliary, volunteered for several years at the Auxiliary Food Pantry. She also belonged to the Royal Neighbors.

When she wasn't doing anything else, she and Aunt Joyce (best friends since second grade) put on many miles on their long walks in Mapleton. Her selfless qualities were undeniable; if one word were chosen to describe her, it would be "altruistic.” She asked for nothing for herself and never complained; everything was always "that's all right.” She was an excellent knitter and spent countless hours knitting slippers, sweaters and blankets, etc. as well as sewing many of the clothes for the family.

Her other "claim to fame" was in being a direct descendant of John Hart, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dewaine, her parents and her brother, Willard (Bill) (Mary Louise) Gilkerson and sister, Roberta (Marshall) Hargrave, and her sisters-in- law, Joyce (Merle) Davis and Norma Jean (Jinky) (Dick) Beery and brothers-in- Jaw, Junior and Billy Joe.

She is survived by her children Craig (Susan), Marla (Fred), Daniel (Landra), Mark, and Larry, and grandchildren, Shauna (Jay), Traci (Todd), Brent, Lisa (Nick), Jill (Chris), Nathan (Katie) and Nick, and by her great-grandchildren, Khrystyna, Colton, Ty, Tanner, Taeja, Connor, Ella, Ireland, Finnegan, Breccan, Jack, Ryan, and Harriett.

Services will be Saturday, March 24, at 1:30 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service, at Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home, Mapleton, Iowa.

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.