Elaine Sylvia Smithburg

Elaine Sylvia Smithburg was born on her grandfather’s farm in Freeborn County, Minnesota, November 7, 1930. Elaine was the first of four children born to Sidney and Elsie (Matthies) Johnson. Elaine passed away peacefully September 17, 2026 at the Lincoln Health Community Hospital.

The dash in between these dates is Elaine’s legacy. Elaine was born at the beginning of the Depression, but she was quick to tell you even though life was hard, she was proud of her family life and happy home in southern Minnesota. She often shared stories of playing ball, gathering eggs and milking cows.

She went to a country school, walking to and from the school in the harsh Minnesota winters. Elaine went to high school in New Richland, Minnesota. As Elaine grew up, she discovered her love for dancing at the Monterey dance hall. She continued this passion for many years after!

Elaine graduated high school in 1948. Shortly after, her aunt and uncle Halvorson came to Minnesota to visit. They invited her to ride back to Colorado where she met her future husband, Sidney Smithburg, in Genoa, Colorado.

Sidney and Elaine were married at the LeSeur River Lutheran Church on October 30, 1949. The next day they loaded up and headed for their new life in Genoa, Colorado. To this union four children were born, Bob, Sandra, Jim and Lyle. Sidney and Elaine both worked very hard to establish their farming operation. They farmed briefly in Genoa, but spent most of their time farming in Arriba, Colorado. Elaine especially loved harvest and baked cinnamon rolls for the Smithburg’s wheat harvest into her 90’s. In 1980, Sidney and Elaine moved to Flagler, Colorado where Elaine would spend the rest of her life.

Elaine lost her husband in 1992 and wondered if the boys would still come to see her since she really couldn’t talk farming with them like Sid did. That was never an issue! Elaine’s Flagler house was a hub for her children and probably even more so for her grandchildren. It was a common stop at her house to check if you were taller than Grandma Elaine.

Christmas was a passion for Elaine and she would make sure there was a program of singing, Bible stories and musical instrument performances. She made sure there was always lefse on the Christmas table. Elaine loved attending the grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s events, highlighting how important her family was to her. Many of her family and friends will remember her Ole and Lena jokes, and her love of line dancing and a good polka! Uff da, this is all hard to write!

Elaine is survived by her children Bob (Charlotte), Sandra (Gary), Jim (Sherri) and Lyle (Christy); sister Beverly Lunde & brother-in-law Bryce Nelson; grandchildren Ryan (Sherri) Smithburg, Jay (Diana) Lambert, Kim (David) Lucero, Aubrey (Ryan) Jones, Jeff (Margarita) Lambert, Jon (Sarah) Smithburg, Jim (Lindsey) Lambert, Nick (Ashlee) Smithburg, Stephanie (Steve) Scherr; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sidney Smithburg; her parents, Sidney and Elsie Johnson; her siblings, Audrinne Kormann and Sonny Johnson.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Flagler Ambulance, Gift of Life Foundation, or an organization of your choice.