Elaine Joan Smolik

Elaine Joan Smolik, age 85, passed away on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, surrounded by her family at her home. Elaine was born on June 4, 1940, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Lester and Elnora Selvig. She grew up on a farm near Lamoille until her high school years, when her family moved to a farm north of Mitchell and later to another farm outside Osage. She was confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran and still talked about how members of her previous confirmation class surprised her and her sister when they attended. Elaine proudly graduated with the final class of Mitchell High School in 1957.

She went on to attend Waldorf College for two years before earning her bachelor’s degree from Wartburg College. Elaine began her teaching career at Rockford Elementary and later taught in Osage and Floyd before devoting herself to being a full-time mother.

In 1959, Elaine met Wayne Smolik while working at the A & W Drive-In in Osage - Wayne had come in with his nephew for ice cream, and the rest was history. The two were engaged soon after and married on July 30, 1960, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage.

Elaine remained a devoted member of Our Savior’s Lutheran throughout her life and was active in many organizations, including Beta Sigma Phi, the Mitchell County Democrats, and the Shakespearean Book Club. She had a wide range of interests: she loved reading, collecting, volunteering, and most of all, spending time with her family and friends.

Those who knew Elaine remember her best for her unwavering kindness, quiet generosity, and deep faith. Her loved ones also fondly recall her enjoyment of The Bold and the Beautiful and true crime shows, a few of her guilty pleasures.

Elaine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She touched many lives during her 85 years and cherished each moment with those she loved.

Elaine is survived by her husband, Wayne Smolik, and their three children: Donette (Lee) Van Hoever, Darlene (Chris) Wagner, and Erik Smolik. She was especially proud of her grandchildren: Sydney, Emma, Hayden, and Oscar. She is also survived by her sister, Dawn Lackore.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Elnora Selvig; her sister, Eileen Ehlke; and her brother, Robert Selvig.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Elaine’s memory may be made to the North Iowa Humane Society.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage, Iowa. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Osage Cemetery.

Hoff Celebrations - Champion Chapel of Osage is assisting the family with arrangements.

To view the livestream of Elaine's service, please click the link below.

https://venues.vimeo.com/1687356389520?lang=en-US