Date of Birth:
Monday, December 8, 1941
Date of Death:
Friday, May 9, 2025
Age:
83 years old

Eileen LaDonna Elgin

 Eileen LaDonna Elgin, age 83, passed away peacefully into the arms of her savior, Jesus Christ, at her son’s home in Lakeville, MN on May 9, 2025. She was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in September and due to ongoing heart failure was unable to pursue radiation therapy for the cancer.  She was given a prognosis of 3-9 months and passed away 8 months later from the cancer.  Both of her children, David Keller and Holly Keller were with her holding her hands when she passed away early Friday afternoon.   

Eileen was born on December 8, 1941 in Rochester, MN, and graduated from John Marshall High School.  She had 3 siblings, Rudy Berndt, Shirley Grems, and Dody Wobig (all deceased).  After high school, Eileen worked as a secretary in Milwaukee and returned to Rochester where she was a waitress at a local coffee shop (once waiting on Ernest Hemingway when he was being treated at the Mayo Clinic during the final years of his life).  In 1960, she married Gerald Keller and had two children (David and Holly) with him.  He passed away in 1983.   She was re-married to Wally Elgin in 1984. 

For 40 years, Eileen was a devoted wife to her husband, Wally Elgin.  Wally was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013 and Eileen cared steadfastly and lovingly for him, determined to look after him in their home in Rochester until his passing in September 2023.  Eileen is survived by her son, David Keller, 60 (married to Carla Brown); daughter, Holly Keller, 55 (married to Brian Hissong); 5 grandchildren (Nick Keller, 37;  Alyssa Gahimer, 35; Bailey Ross, 27; Jazzmyne Brown, 34; and Julian Hissong, 21); and 7 great-grandchildren (Ruby,6; Lily, 17; Luke, 16;  Bella, 8; Leyton, 11; Teddy, 3;  and Vivian,2).  

Eileen was creative, warm, kind, generous, and a dedicated home cook and mother.  She was truly one of the last great homemakers, always keeping the little cottage-like home she loved and lived in for 43 years tidy and sweetly decorated.  She loved to host holidays for her family and not only made delicious meals, but also hand-made decor and holiday-themed favors for each family member.   She was an accomplished seamstress, knitter, and loved to design and create original birthday cards for friends and family.  She also enjoyed gardening in her yard and grew a variety of flowers and tomatoes each summer.  During the warmer months, she would sit on her porch with Wally each evening and split a Coke while enjoying the yard.  Eileen was also a serious cat-lover, owning and caring for 6 different cats over her life, 3 of which came to her as strays that she eventually adopted into her home permanently.  She always found time to make things for her family (prom dresses, wedding cakes, winter hats, jointed mohair teddy bears, dolls with entire wardrobes of clothing…), and often, when she learned of someone in need or facing a tragedy, she made gifts of knitted hats, quilts, or toys she would send to them as well. 

Many of those who provided medical care and hospice care to her in her last months, described her as truly one of the sweetest people they had ever cared for.  Eileen will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.  She has left an Eileen-sized hole in all of our hearts and world.