ELAINE IONA ROJEM was born June 12, 1932, in rural Herman, Nebraska to Hans and Minnie (Miller) Anderson. She passed away Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at her home in Tekamah, at the age of 78 years.

Until the age of 8, Elaine lived on the Omaha Indian Reservation.  Her family then moved to rural Herman. 

Elaine graduated from Herman High School in 1949. Elaine received her teaching degree from Dana College in 1969 and later received an advanced degree in Special Education.  She started her teaching career at a Washington County country school, she then taught second grade at Lyons and Herman, Nebraska. She ended her career in Tekamah teaching Special Education in the elementary grades. After retiring from teaching she volunteered with the GED program in Tekamah for 5 years and saw 70 students receive their GED's. She also tutored several different students in her home.

On August 22, 1956, Elaine and Lawrence Rojem were united in marriage at First Lutheran Church in Blair, Nebraska. They enjoyed 54 years of marriage and had one daughter, Tamara. They lived on their farm north of Tekamah for 12 years.  In 1969, they moved to Tekamah.

Elaine was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tekamah. She was very active in her church and taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years.

She loved her family and friends and seeing individuals reach their education goals.  She had a passion for cats, reading, baking chocolate chip cookies, shopping, eating out with friends, sending greeting cards to people for all occasions, travel and being fashionable.  She especially enjoyed her many trips to Dallas to visit her daughter and grandson. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Donald and Kenneth Anderson.

Survivors include her husband, Lawrence of Tekamah; daughter and son-in-law, Tamara and Wayne Thompson of Addison, Texas; grandson, Tanner Ross of Stephenville, Texas; sister  and brother-in-law, Marilyce and Keith Kuhr of Grand Island, Nebraska; numerous nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Monday, February 7, 2011, 10:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tekamah.

VISITATION: Sunday 4 - 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6 - 8 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Visitation Monday will also be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Tekamah Cemetery

MEMORIALS: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Tekamah Rescue Squad and Tekamah Public Library.

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

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