Elaine Irene (McKenzie) McLean

Elaine was born on Halloween in 1947, she would have been 73 this Halloween but unfortunately left us earlier this year. Elaine is missed by family, friends, and people who she met through her travels and work. Elaine was a very outgoing person, striking up conversations with random people or giving you a call or text to see how you were doing. Elaine also had a very infectious and boisterous laugh that filled the room.

Elaine was born to her parents Donald and Irene McKenzie, in Brandon, MB on October 31, 1947. Elaine has one older sibling, her sister Donna. Elaine attended all her schooling in Brandon, graduating from Brandon Collegiate Institute. Following graduation, she attended Assiniboine Community College (ACC). After graduating ACC, she went to Europe for two years to travel before returning to Winnipeg to enter the workforce.  In early 1981, Elaine met Ian McLean. In November 1981, Elaine and Ian married, starting their life on the family farm outside of Strathclair, MB. Elaine and Ian had two children, Ryan and Jennifer (Greg Gaboury). Elaine also had two grandchildren, Kasen and Hayden. She had many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren were often at the farm, keeping Elaine on her toes as they ran around the house or outside in the yard. Having grown up a city girl Elaine definitely became a farm girl, tending to the vegetable and flower gardens, mowing the large lawns, and just enjoying the natural beauty of farm life.  Travel was also in Elaine’s blood, she would drag Ian along on many adventures. She travelled to Hawaii, Jamaica, Mexico, and Cuba; she enjoyed the heat. She also went on a few family vacations across western Canada and Florida. Memories the family will cherishes, happy they were able to share in her joy and spending time with Elaine. Elaine had other interests too, such as family camping trips, fishing, bowling, bingo, curling, or a round of miniature golf.  Elaine made lots of friends at the different places she worked. Elaine worked at the Elkhorn Resort as a server for many years. She also worked in the local support office for Inky Mark, MediPlan Health, and then the Sandy Lake Coop, before finally retiring. Elaine made friends at every place she worked, as her outgoing nature and positive spirit were hard to resist. Elaine also helped on the family farm, first with the dairy operation and then later with the beef cattle. She had a few close calls with the animals, but it didn’t stop her from helping. Later on, “supervising” aka asking Ryan all the time about what’s happening and asking for updates on calf births.  Elaine most recently battled cancer, unfortunately taking her from us in the end. She was strong and took every treatment in strides and head on. She put on a brave face and wouldn’t want people to worry or be concerned. She wanted to enjoy her time with family and friends, without having to think about what she was going through.

Elaine passed away February 3, 2020 at Minnedosa Hospital with her family by her side. A graveside service had been planned for spring 2020 but unfortunately had to be moved. Elaine was laid to rest on August 22, 2020 at the Strathclair Cemetery, at a private family service.

The family thanks everyone who called, send cards, and came to visit. Thank you to Minnedosa Hospital and Brandon CancerCare staff, making Elaine’s final days and cancer treatments a bit more bearable. Also, thank you to Rae’s Funeral and Shauna for all their assistance and funeral arrangements.