Elaine Edith Marie Lestor, 95, of Rock Island passed away on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at Friendship Manor - Silver Cross, Rock Island.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at St. James Lutheran Church, Rock Island, with visitation to be held one hour prior to the service at church. Private inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Moline. Memorials may be made in care of St. James ELCA for World Hunger. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island is assisting the family.

Elaine was born on September 11, 1929 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Rev. Gottfrid and Edith (Thulin) Olson. She earned her bachelor's degree from Upsala College in New Jersey and later pursued graduate work at Boston University. Elaine married Rev. Albert D. Lestor on June 28, 1952 in Lynn, Massachusetts and he preceded her in death on September 12, 2014. She worked as an elementary school teacher for many years in Chicago and continued to substitute teach after moving to the Quad Cities area.

Elaine was very grounded in her Lutheran faith and it was exactly this that brought her and Al together. The two met while serving as lay delegates at the Augustana Synod Convention in Galesburg, IL. She stood by her husband through the various assignments he had as a pastor over the years. They spent time in Walnut Creek and Pico Rivera, both in California and Chicago, Andover, North Henderson and Henderson Grove in Illinois. After her husband's retirement, they became members of St. James Lutheran Church in Rock Island. Elaine was heavily involved in St. James over the years and a proud member of WELCA (Women of ELCA).

Elaine and Al dedicated a lot of time to various organizations over the years, including Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Literacy is for Everyone, World Relief and Holden Village. Elaine was also very passionate about Augustana College and served on their endowment board for many years.

Those left to cherish Elaine's memory include her children, David (Diane) Lestor of Orion, IL and Martha Lestor of Coal Valley, IL; grandchildren, Amanda (Daniel) Belknap of Bloomingdale, IL and Andrew (Samantha) Lestor of Greer, SC; and great-grandchildren, Henry and Owen Belknap and Everett and Calvin Lestor.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother, Larry Olson.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Friendship Manor, Silver Cross, and UnityPoint Hospice.

Online condolences may be left at www.wheelanpressly.com.