Elaine Kay Prichard

Elaine Kay Prichard, 96, of Onawa, Iowa, passed away Monday, April 1, 2024, at Pleasant View Care Center, Whiting, Iowa.

Per Elaine’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and no services will be held. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Elaine Kay was born October 18, 1927, in Mapleton, Iowa, the daughter of Clifford and Ercyle (Blaine) Ellis. Her father was a postmaster for many years in Mapleton, Iowa, and her mother was a teacher who taught at a one room schoolhouse in Rodney, Iowa and then at the Danbury High School. She had one brother Bill Ellis. Elaine attended Maple Valley High School and graduated with the class of 1945. She attended college for four years and received her teaching degree. Elaine taught at Manning for two years and Mason City for one year.

Elaine and her brother Bill were lifeguards at Blue Lake in 1951 and lived in a tent. They paid $0.50 a month to stay in the tent. While lifeguarding a friend Don Gingles brought Robert Prichard over to meet Elaine. Elaine and Robert “Bob” Prichard were united in marriage on July 6, 1952, at the Mapleton Methodist Church. They lived in the green cabin at Blue Lake that summer. To this union three boys were born: Dave, John, and Tom.

She was a yoga teacher and a dance teacher. Elaine was a substitute teacher for many years, at West Monona.

Elaine and Robert enjoyed traveling, camping, and going to Iowa football games. Robert passed away on September 16, 1987. After her husband passed, her fun loving attitude attracted many admirers, but she always relished in staying single.

 Elaine loved to travel so much and got a winter home in Weslaco, Texas, that she had for thirty-one years. She spent many years in Oaxaca, Mexico, and South Padre Island, Texas.  Elaine loved drinking coffee with the ladies at her cabin at Blue Lake. She had many acres of farmland that she enjoyed checking on.

Survivors include her children, David Prichard of Onawa, Iowa, and Tom Prichard of San Diego, California; nieces and nephews, Mickey, Cheryl, Rocky, and Paula all of New Mexico; and other relatives, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Prichard; son, John Prichard; parents, Clifford and Ercyle (Blaine) Ellis; and brother, Bill (Mary Lou) Ellis.

Thank you to Pleasant View Care Center and Burgess Hospital for all their care and all the friends that she met over the years to make a great life.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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