Elaine J. Ross

Elaine J. Ross, 89 year old resident of Pillager, MN passed away Thursday, February 24, 2022 at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living in Baxter, MN. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Casino Assembly of God Church with Rev. Dan Johnson officiating. Burial will take place in the Wildwood Cemetery in Pillager, MN. A visitation will be held from 10-11 A.M. on Thursday at the Casino Assembly of God Church. Caring for Elaine and her family is the Halvorson-Taylor Funeral Home in Brainerd, MN.
Elaine was born on March 18, 1932, in Pillager, MN to the late John and Edith (Fugate) Mudgett. She grew up in Pillager, MN where she attended school. She also lived in Montana, Washington and Illinois. Elaine was united in marriage to Herbert Schwatka on April 18, 1951, in Columbia, South Carolina. Herbert was killed in combat and she was later united in marriage to John Ross on December 22, 1959, in Tuscola, IL. Elaine was a very spontaneous lady that enjoyed adventures and just up and leaving with her family on road trips. During her travels she loved camping and stopping places to find collectible treasures. She was also a prolific reader and had quite the collection of books. Elaine was also very fascinated with her family’s genealogy and tracked them back to the beginning. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
Elaine is survived by children, John (Jean) Schwatka of Pillager, MN, Ruth Mayer of Pillager, MN, Rebecca (Jerry Ellis) Robinson of Aitkin, MN, Rosemary (Andrew) McCarrey of Sidney, IL and Rebamarie (Tom Lamkin) Ross of Arthur, IL; and grandchildren, Larissa Hynes, Melissa Barker-Petersen, Janet Robinson, Andrew Schwatka, Franklin Schwatka, Cathleen Schwatka, Jennifer Oxley, Jordan Schwatka, John McCarrey and Thomas McCarrey.
Elaine was preceded in death by parents, John and Edith Mudgett; husbands, Herbert Schwatka and John Ross; sister, Grace Mudgett; brother, Wesley Mudgett; son, David Ross and daughter, Rachel Schwatka.