Elaine Meldrum Sloan, 78

Elaine Meldrum Sloan, 78, passed away July 18, 2017, in Albany, Oregon, surrounded by the family and hospice care. She fought a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Wilma “Elaine” was born in Havre Aug. 8, 1938, to William and Hazel Meldrum. They moved to Somers when she was 4. She loved growing up in Somers and especially liked playing at Sandy Beach. She attended Somers School at Flathead County High School.

Elaine married Cecil Kostman in 1956 and they had four children, Cindy Croy of Eugene, Oregon, James Kostman of Eugene, Michael Kostman (Clara) of Whitehall, Montana, and Kevin Kostman of Corvallis, Oregon. They later divorced.

Elaine and Charles Sloan were married Oct. 6, 1972, and he had two sons, Richard and Jimmy. With the combined families they have six children, 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Elaine and Charlie were married for 44 years.

Elaine worked at the school cafeteria in Jefferson, Oregon, for 10 years. She loved the ocean, walking, yoga, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, card games, her yard and flowers, and her dog Daisy. She also loved living in Tonopah, Arizona, during the winter.

She loved her family and many friends. She had a little giggle; sometimes it turned into a tear-jerking laugh, and then everyone joined in.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother Lloyd Meldrum.

She is survived by her husband, Charlie Sloan; six children; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; a sister, Marilyn Nelson (Norm) of Kalispell; brother, Kenneth Meldrum, of Anchorage, Alaska; and a sister-in-law, Marcella Meldrum, of Beaverton, Oregon.

A memorial service was held in Jefferson, Oregon, last July.