Elaine Gerlinger

Elaine M. Gerlinger was called to heaven on May 15, 2022.  She was born in Wheelock, ND on June 24, 1925, to Leonard J. Bean and Jennie Garass Bean. She grew up in Williston, ND, and graduated from Williston High School. She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN.  She met Ray Gerlinger in 1946 and they were married March 30, 1947. Ray preceded her in death on December 4, 2016.

Elaine devoted her whole adult life to being a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She and Ray began their married life in Little Falls, MN, where their daughter, Cathy, was born.  They moved to Milaca MN, in 1951 and their son, Eric “Rick”, was born there.

They moved to Overland Park in 1959 and were active members of Faith Lutheran Church. During this time Elaine helped with Rick’s scouting activities and drove him to an endless number of sports practices and games.

In 1968 the family moved to Ann Arbor, MI, where Elaine was active in a neighborhood Bible study.  1974 brought them back to Overland Park where they became members of Hillcrest Covenant Church in Prairie Village.

Elaine was a top-notch homemaker and cook.  She loved to bake and often made 15-20 kinds of cookies and other sweet delicacies at Christmas.  As the daughter of a Norwegian immigrant, she worked to keep her Scandinavian roots a part of her family’s life. She loved playing card games and board games with friends and with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She played in multiple bridge clubs and made many wonderful friends through that hobby.  Elaine and Ray lived in Hawthorne Place in Overland Park for 27 years and she loved spending time with her neighbors and exercising in the community pool.  For the last 5 years Elaine has lived at Brookdale at 119th. There she has made many good friends and has enjoyed participating in Bible studies and Christian gatherings.

Elaine is survived by her daughter Cathy Zumbehl (Glenn), her son Rick Gerlinger (Sheri), and her granddaughters Anne Zumbehl Talley (Matt), Sarah Zumbehl Ozanne (Tyler), Megan Gerlinger Shankland (Daniel) and Emma Gerlinger.  Elaine is also survived by seven great grandchildren: Lila and Luke Talley, Callan and Tucker Shankland, and Porter, Glenn and Shaw Ozanne. Additionally, she is survived by her sister, Elenor Cashman, and by many devoted nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, by her parents, by her brothers, LeRoy Bean and Elmer Bean and by her daughter-in-law, Cindy.

Elaine was a warm and outgoing person, and she was committed to her faith in Jesus Christ. She was an unwavering Christian role model for her family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to missions projects at Hillcrest Covenant Church, 8801 Nall Avenue, Prairie Village, KS 66207.  A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 23, in the Brookdale 119th Clubhouse, 6101 W. 119th Street, Overland Park, KS 66209, in the Entertainment Center on the second floor.