Elaine was born on October 14, 1926 near Buchanan, ND to Joseph and Margaret (Davis) Miska. Sadly, Margaret passed away when Elaine was only eight years old. Elaine started school in a one room schoolhouse. It was a long walk for her and her two little brothers, Myron (Mike) and David. She graduated from Pingree High School in 1944. After high school, she enjoyed teaching in a one room schoolhouse. During WWII, she went to Bremerton with her BFF Sylvia to help with the war effort. When the war was over, she returned home to ND and married Roger Nieland on December 10, 1946.

The couple farmed near Edmunds and had four children, Terry, Laura, Joan and Walt.

Elaine loved living on the farm, cooking for the men, “running kids” and attending their events. Roger retired from farming in 1981 and the couple spent time traveling extensively, enjoying many warm winters in Port Aransas, TX.

Roger passed away on July 21, 1995 in the same house he was born in, because Elaine cared for him tirelessly through cancer and Alzheimer’s, making his final wish come true.

Elaine was an avid reader and bird watcher. She also loved attending Jimmy basketball games. Although she wasn’t able to continue her career as a teacher, she taught her children and grandchildren priceless lessons, including how to cook “nutritious and delicious” meals, how to make your husband eat whatever you make by calling it “hotdish”, how to be forever curious about life, and how to spit out your gum before church. Elaine made time for every one of her grandchildren and each one thought they were her favorite.

Elaine is survived by her sons, Terry (Lynn) Nieland and Walt (Jane) Nieland, her daughter, Joan Nieland-Lutovsky, her grandchildren, Maggi (Daryl) Lund, TJ Carr, Colby (Amy) Lysne, Missy (Keith) Schroeder, Mandy (Ryan) Tollefson, Joe (Amy) Casper, Derek (Laura) Lutovsky, Bill (Megan) Casper, Matt (Erin) Nieland, and Jacob (Skye) Nieland, 22 great- grandchildren,  3 great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother Katherine Miska, husband, daughter Laura Casper, son-in-law Robert Lutovsky, brothers Mike and Dave, and numerous other family members.

Mass of Christian Burial – 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 14, 2024, at St. James Basilica, Jamestown, with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm, celebrant.  This service will be livestreamed on Elaine’s obit page at eddyfuneralhome.com

Rosary – 6:30 p.m., Friday, December 13, 2024 at the church.

Prayer Service – 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 13 at the church.

Visitation – One hour before each service at the church.

Burial – Calvary Cemetery, Jamestown

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to the Red River Valley Hospice, 1701 38th St. S. Ste. 101, Fargo, ND  58103 or the charity of your choice.