Elaine Falck

Mary Elaine “Elaine” Falck, 95, passed away on February 15, 2025. Elaine was born on May 2, 1929 to Everett and Rose Campbell. Elaine was the oldest of five children. They lived on a farm five miles east of Buchanan. Elaine attended Kaiser rural school. Because of her petite nature, a wooden box was built to put under her feet at her desk so she could reach. In 1938, Elaine’s family moved to a farm just north of Buchanan. She graduated from Buchanan High School in 1947.

Growing up, Elaine learned the value of hard work at an early age. She worked two summers for her aunt, Donna Mae Ginsbach. At age 16, she worked the summer for her aunt Susie Sorenson. At age 17, she worked in Buchanan at the Dew Drop Inn. Upon graduation, she moved from Buchanan to Jamestown and lived with her aunt and uncle, Howard and Lula Baker, where she walked approximately five blocks to work at Penny’s & Scott’s.

Elaine met Thomas Falck during her years at Buchanan school. In Tommy’s words “I think the other guys were scared of her dad but I wasn’t” And the rest is history. They were married on October 2, 1948. To this union came six children: Thomas Jr., Carol, Leland, Steven, Jeffrey & Donald.

Tommy and Elaine moved to a rented farm site five miles west of Buchanan where they farmed with Tom’s dad. They purchased what would become the Falck family home farmstead in November of 1953. They farmed and resided there until Jeffrey and Gail moved to the farm and Jeff and Donnie took over Falck Farms in 1982. Elaine was always willing to do whatever was needed to help around the farm even through the years after they moved to Jamestown. A farming family through and through.

Elaine was a jack of all trades type of mother and grandmother. She had a tip or trick to just about anything. She was a wonderful cook. Those coming to her house could usually find cookies, pies or her famous buns baking in the oven. Most holidays involved the grandkids fighting over the last homemade bun. Taking meals to the men in the field was a joy to her and the guys were always well fed to take on springs work or the harvest bounty. Elaine was an avid quilter and made quilts for the grandkids and great grandkids. She patched many farm jeans in between quilts and other sewing projects. Elaine’s green thumb was unmatched. She could grow just about anything and never minded when the grandkids were eating garden produce faster than she could pick it. She learned to paint in her 50’s and to no surprise, was artistically blessed with that talent also. Elaine was a very involved member of St. James Basilica. Her faith was evident and a cornerstone for her life. She and Tommy loved attending grandkids' sporting events and birthday parties, going out for breakfast, and just being together. They were truly soulmates. Elaine loved to talk about her kids, grandkids and great grandkids with pride. She always had advice for us, welcomed or not, and loved listening to stories about the family she and Tom created.

Elaine is survived by her husband of 76 years, Thomas Falck. Her children: Tom (Susan) Falck Jr. of Grand Forks, ND, Carol (Harvey) Andres of Edmond, OK, Leland Falck of Wahpeton, ND, Steven Falck of Russell’s Point, OH, Donald Falck of Buchanan, ND and daughter-in-law, Gail Falck of Buchanan, ND. Her grandchildren: Tommy (Beth) Falck, Kristin (Brandon) Haney, John (Stephanie) Andres, Jim Andres, Kate Andres, Matt (Amy) Falck, Andy (Kristin) Falck, Adam Falck, Ryan Falck, Eric Falck, Jill (Seth) Lura and Josh Falck; as well as 19 great grandchildren, her sister-in-law, Yolanda Campbell, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, son Jeffrey Falck, her brothers, James, John, and Robert and one sister, Charlotte. Father and mother-in-law: Thomas and Anne Falck and brothers-in-law: Jim & Neil (Pat) Falck.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Margaret’s Cemetery of Buchanan and McCoy Ministries. Special thanks to JRMC Hospice and Ava Maria for their compassionate care of Elaine during her last days. We are forever grateful.

Mass of Christian Burial - 2:00 p.m., Monday, February 24, 2025 at St. James Basilica, Jamestown, with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm, celebrant.

Burial - Buchanan Cemetery, Buchanan, ND, at a later date.