Elaine Tecla Beyer, 84, passed away peacefully the evening of January 25, 2013 at Seasons Hospice, where she was briefly under the watchful care of their staff.

Born to Lydia and August Cierzan in Winona, the third of six children, Elaine attended classes at Winona State before graduating from the Kahler Nursing School. She worked as a registered nurse in each of Rochester's hospitals and then at Assisi Heights. Out of professional respect, her RN title was placed prominently next to her name, even as a patient, through her final hospital admission.

Elaine's nursing vocation included tours of duty in Milwaukee, Chicago and Seattle, before she met and married Leslie James Beyer. Les and Elaine chose Rochester as their home, and shared 54 years together raising and enjoying their family here.

Elaine was playing basketball when she first caught the eye of her husband-to-be. They were introduced when Les was on leave from the Army in 1952. Elaine was serious about her career, but in his words "she chased him until he caught her."

Golf, Bridge and her glorious garden provided life-long entertainment for Elaine, but her great joy was her family: daughters Beth (Mike) Nahlovsky of Shakopee, Susan (Al) Lopez of New York City, and son Andrew of Rochester, along with granddaughters Mya Elaine, Haley Anne and Alicia Leslie who are reflections of their grandmother's strength and spirit.

Elaine is survived by sisters Jane VanAlstine, Ruth (Bob) Groenwald, brother William (Marilyn) Cierzan, in-laws Evelyn Cierzan and Joel Fuhrman and many cousins, nieces and nephews; and is proceeded in death by brother James Cierzan, sister Carol Fuhrman, brother-in-law Adrian VanAlstine, and Les and Elaine's children Charles and Ellen.

Throughout her life, Elaine was blessed with faithful friends and colleagues. The thanks of her family is extended to all for their endless devotion.

There will be a visitation in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home from 5 – 8pm on Friday, 2/1. A Celebration of Life Mass will be officiated by Rev. Charlie Collins at St Pius X in Rochester on Saturday, 2/2 at 11am. A reception will follow the service after which burial will proceed at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the Ability Building Center (ABC) or Seasons Hospice.

Online condolences are very welcome thru www.CaringBridge.com at the ElaineBeyer site.