Elaine (Simons) Molter ’52 died June 13, 2015.
Born Elaine Inger Simons, Elaine grew up on the fertile soil of the Palouse in Genesee, Idaho, with her sister, Evelyn, and her parents, Inger and Carl. Although deeply rooted in Genesee, Elaine continued to cultivate her life by attending Pacific Lutheran University. She was married to Richard Frank Molter in 1951 and graduated from PLU in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Elaine put teaching aside when she became an Air Force officer’s wife and the mother of five children, transplanting her family and home eight times before settling in Veradale, Wash. Her children grown, Elaine began working outside of her home, first in retail sales and eventually as an employment counselor at Jobs Company in the Spokane valley. During retirement, Elaine continued to be an avid—and competitive—bridge player, a reliable volunteer at the Spokane County Library and an active member of Advent Lutheran Church (formerly Christ Lutheran). She moved to her independent living apartment at Park Place Retirement Community in 2011, where she enjoyed its beautiful grounds and pleasant social life. Elaine’s final resting place has taken her back to her roots: She is buried in Saint John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Genesee. Elaine was predeceased by her son, Richard Molter, and survived by her sister, Evelyn (Jodi) Mundt; by her children, Jeffery Molter, Meridith Molter, Jon Molter and Thomas Molter; and by her grandchildren, Alex Molter, Kristin Wenzel, Nicholas Gaddy, Mackensie Russo and Connor Molter-Gaddy.
