Elaine Barbara (Matties) Elsenpeter, age 83, of Annandale, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2026.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Annandale with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Fr. Magner will Celebrate the Mass. Burial will follow at St. Timothy Catholic Cemetery on Co. Rd. 37 near Maple Lake. In honor of Elaine and her love of purple, family and friends are invited to wear purple or accessorize with a touch of purple as we celebrate her life.

Elaine Barbara Matties was born on July 22, 1943, to Walter and Ann (Schlag) Matties. Elaine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She married Jerry Elsenpeter, and together they built a life filled with family, travel, music, gardening, and many cherished memories.

Elaine was the kind of Mom who was always there for her family. If she was invited, she was there - attending school activities, celebrations, milestones, and all the important moments in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She never needed a reason to show her support; being there for the people she loved was simply who she was.

Elaine was the proud mother of Todd, Tami, and Tracey. Through her marriage to Jerry, she also became a loving part of the lives of Jeff, Jean, and Julie, embracing them and their families as her own. Together, Elaine and Jerry shared a large and loving family. Elaine was blessed with seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, along with many more nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren through her marriage with Jerry. She treasured being part of their lives and never missed an opportunity to be there for them.

For many years, Elaine provided in-home daycare, caring for many children who were not her own. She became a special part of the lives of those children and their families, and many of the children she cared for continued to remember her fondly throughout the years. Her home was a place where children were cared for, welcomed, and loved.

Elaine also worked at a flooring store in Annandale, where she enjoyed helping people design and remodel their homes. She had a natural eye for making things beautiful, something she also expressed through her love of gardening. Elaine and Jerry especially enjoyed gardening together, and they took great pride in their beautiful flowers and abundant garden and the time they spent tending to them during the summer.

She loved listening to country music, traveling with Jerry, spending time with her family, and enjoying the simple moments of everyday life. Some of her happiest moments were being together with the people she loved, sharing in their lives and making memories along the way.

Elaine was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Annandale.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry Elsenpeter; her children, Todd (Heather) Plante, Tami (Art) Gatchell, and Tracey (Paul) Fiereck; Jerry's children, Jeff (Karen) Elsenpeter, Jeanne (John) Bandemer, and Julie (James) Baer; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her siblings, Julie (Elmer) Scheper and Leo (Audrey) Matties; and many extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Ann (Schlag) Matties.

Elaine leaves behind a legacy of love, family, and a lifetime of being there for others. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family, the many children she cared for, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Josh Rueckert, Jacob Plante, Mike Plante, Chris Plante, John Anderson, and Dave Elsenpeter will serve as casket bearers. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.

Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com