Eva “Elaine” Mehlhose, 95, of Clancy passed away peacefully Jan. 12, 2024 in her home with her son by her side.
Elaine was born July 18, 1928 in Vulcan, Alberta, Canada to William Dyce and Eva Maude (Graves) Allan. She graduated from high school in Vulcan and attended the University of Alberta, Calgary. During World War II, she played piano for the troops in Vulcan.
Elaine worked first as a bookkeeper for a bank in Vulcan, then went on to teach elementary school for a couple years in Alberta before working as a bookkeeper for various companies in Canada. Elaine met and married Jack Mehlhose in 1954 in Michigan. She was working there as a bookkeeper for the Continental Division of the Ford Motor Company, in the most prestigious manufacturing plant in the United States at the time.
Elaine attended the University of Montana, graduating with a degree in education in 1961, the same year she became a naturalized American citizen. Her only child, Ross, was born in 1964, and she became a stay-at-home mom for a few years. She went back to work as a part-time bookkeeper and then moved on to elementary education and adult education. Elaine dabbled in real estate for a time, and she assisted Ross in building homes, doing foundations, and being a carpenter with her son.
Elaine loved to cook and care for her husband and son. She thoroughly enjoyed caring for them and being a great mom and wife in their home in Clancy for the past 49 years.
Since they both were teachers, Elaine and Jack loved to travel with their son Ross in the summers. They went coast to coast and many places in between in their Chevy truck with a camper. Elaine often said, “you get to take your housework with you while traveling.”
Elaine was very artistic and a big reader of books. She loved horses and animals, with many dogs and cats as pets throughout her life. She was an active person even well into her last days, a member of the “Clancy Aerobic Girls” walking and exercising for well over 15 years. Even towards the end, she walked many laps around the deck of her house and did military presses every day.
When Jack and Elaine retired, they volunteered at the Helena Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center for many years, directing visitors to all the sights and attractions in and around Helena. Elaine was presented with a plaque for her years of dedication.
Elaine was very enthusiastic and had a pleasant attitude about her life and those around her. She was instrumental in founding the Clancy Library, a natural byproduct of her passion for books and reading. When Jack passed in 2004, she helped form the “Good Grief Girls” for widowers and those who had loved ones pass to help with their grief. She was involved with the Grand Street Theater and could be considered an actress. She was a devout member of the Clancy United Methodist Church, considering its congregation family as well.
Throughout her life, Elaine enjoyed musical productions, anything with the “big band” sound. To the end of her life, she enjoyed singing with her son, “Home on the Range” and “Springtime in the Rockies,” and reading children’s books every day.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her son, Ross Mehlhose of Clancy and by many friends.
A funeral service is set for 12:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 at the Clancy United Methodist Church followed by a reception at the church. Burial will be held at Forestvale Cemetery following the reception. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to Ross or to share a memory of Elaine.
