Elaine Ruth Laing

Elaine Knutson Laing was born to Obin and Mabel Knutson in Thief-River Falls, Minnesota on January 25, 1940. She passed away with loved ones by her side on Friday, December 6, 2024.

Elaine met her husband Jesse in Pharr, Texas and they were married on February 14, 1960. With marriage, Elaine automatically became mom to Jesse W. (Bill), Nita, and bonus mom to Jo, Jerry, John, and Ann. She and Jesse went on to have five children of their own, Joy, Jeff, Jacqueline, Jason and Jonathan. Mother to seven, elaine stayed home to care for her family many of the 52 years she was married. She also worked for the US Postal Service and provided in home childcare for 15 years. Nurturing many more children who came to know her as Ma Ma, just as her own grandchildren. 

Elaine will be remembered for her caring nature, always nurturing and serving others over the years in church, her children's schools, wherever there was a need, with an open mind, open heart and open door. Her delicious home cooked meals, and her sewing skills. She loved children, animals and gardening.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Obin and Mabel: husband Jesse; son Jesse W. (Elva). Soon after her passing, son Jonathan, brothers Milton and Edwin.

Survivors include her children Nita (Larry), Joy (Tim), Jeff (Sheila), Jacqueline (Charles),Jason. Sisters Marilyn, Connie, and brother Clayton. Many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be at 1 pm on Saturday, March 29, 2025 with the memorial service to follow at 2 pm at Sawyer-George Funeral Home at 12497 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78410.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of a memorial made in Elaine's name to a charity of your choosing.

 Ephesians 4:32

Be kind to one another, tender hearted

forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you