Elaine Gierek

Elaine was born on August 28, 1951 to Merle Eugene Anderson and Joyce Alma (Heeren) Anderson in Chicopee, Massachusetts. She passed away unexpectedly at home on January 9, 2020. She is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, Rick of Sacramento, her children Jenny of San Pedro CA, Chrissy of Eureka CA and Steve (and wife Lisa) of Rancho Cordova CA and her grandsons Andrew, who is 5, and Michael, who is 2. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law, Bob of Eureka CA and Tom (and wife Penny) of Eureka CA. Raised as an only child, Elaine’s family was constantly on the move since her dad had a 20-year career as a pilot with the U. S. Air Force. Over the years, they lived in a number of different states (more than once for some of them) as well as foreign countries. While her dad was stationed in Germany, she attended her last 3 years of high school at Frankfurt American High School, graduating in 1969. She then worked as a desk clerk for a small charter airline In Frankfurt and she was also a USO volunteer. On July 16, 1971 she and a few of her fellow USO friends travelled north about 25 miles to a U. S. Army post in the town of Friedberg, Germany. They acted as hostesses at a dance being held at the Friedberg post, and it was there that she met Rick, a U.S. Army sergeant who had only recently arrived in Germany. The couple felt an immediate connection, and two of their first dates were to the Frankfurt Zoo and to a James Taylor concert. Taylor’s hit song “You’ve Got A Friend” became their song. After receiving his honorable discharge, Rick returned to his hometown of Eureka CA in February of 1972 and Elaine followed soon thereafter. They became engaged in September of that year and were then married on March 10, 1973. For job-related reasons, the couple moved to Sacramento in January of 1976 and it was there that they raised their family of three children and have lived ever since. Elaine worked at a few miscellaneous part-time jobs and then she became the attendance clerk at Pasadena Avenue School in the San Juan Unified School District, which our three children attended. She remained there for a number of years and then became a substitute in the office of Mira Loma High School, where she served for many years, even after “retiring”. Elaine enjoyed a number of outside activities, and she tended to stick with them. For example, when our twins were born in 1980, she joined the Sacramento Mothers of Twins Club (now known as Parents of Multiples, Sacramento). Most new moms only stay in the club for a few years, but Elaine was still participating right up to the end. She had served as their newsletter editor for many years and had attended various conventions, including the national convention. She enjoyed helping new moms with all the questions and concerns that a new mother of multiples might have. Having been in the Girl Scouts herself as a child, Elaine was involved with the Sacramento organization as our two daughters grew up. She served as troop leader for some years and then became a volunteer at various weekend events for girl scouts and their leaders, where she served as cook for the entire group. In later years, she set up workshops at these events for both the girls and their adult leaders to create custom-made jewelry (earrings, necklaces etc.). Jewelry-making became another of her favorite hobbies. Music was another love of her life and she has been an active member of two local community concert bands for years and years. Her instrument of choice was the bass clarinet, and she enjoyed the weekly rehearsals and occasional concerts that each of the bands had. She’s been a member of the Cosumnes River College Concert Band for many years. In addition, the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band has been a very special group of people for Elaine for a long time. Music was in her DNA for sure! Though it must have been a monumental task, her fellow classmates at Frankfurt American High School have managed to re-connect with each other via social media and other methods, and they now have an annual “reunion” in various cities across the U.S. for all FAHS graduates from 1967-1973. Last year’s reunion was also the 50th reunion for the Class of ’69, of which Elaine was a member. They decided to go on a week-long Caribbean cruise in late April of 2019, and we all had a great time. Due to their common bond of being “military brats”, this group has been like family to Elaine, and their camaraderie has been amazing. In recent years, Elaine has suffered from some increasing mobility issues because of her left knee. Though it hindered her ability to get around, it didn’t stop her from being an active participant in all of her favorite endeavors, and I will always respect her for that. Her friends will remember her warm smile and her willingness to help out in any way she could. Friends are invited to attend Elaine’s services on Saturday, January 25th at 10 AM at East Lawn Mortuary, located at 5757 Greenback Lane in Sacramento. Interment will follow at Sierra Hills Memorial Park, which is adjacent to East Lawn Mortuary. In addition, a reception will be held from Noon to 3 PM at the Liberty Towers Church, located at 5132 Elkhorn Blvd, which is about 1.2 miles west of the East Lawn Mortuary. The reception will be an informal event where Elaine’s friends and acquaintances can share their favorite memories from the past. For those considering charitable donations, Elaine would certainly appreciate contributions to the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California organization or to the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band.