Elaine F. Hildebrandt

Elaine F. Hildebrandt, age 69, of Cottage Grove, MN, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Celebration of Life 1 PM with visitation beginning at 12 PM, Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, Minnesota 55016. Visitation will begin at 12 PM and Service at 1 PM. Close family and friends are then welcome back to the Hildebrandt home for refreshments.

Elaine Hildebrandt died peacefully at home in Cottage Grove, MN on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at the age of 69. She is survived by her husband Paul and daughters Jenni and Samantha

Elaine was born on January 30, 1957 in La Crosse, WI to parents Joyce and Ambrose Feldmeier. She had seven siblings: Marlene, Judy, Mary, Steve, Don, Paul, and Jerry.

She spent her childhood in Houston and Hokah, MN. Elaine later moved to Winona, MN and worked at the Winona Daily News, where she met her husband, Paul. The two were married on September 14, 1984 in Winona, where just short of two years later, they welcomed their first daughter, Jenni. Shortly after the birth of their first child, Paul and Elaine moved to the big city and settled in Cottage Grove, MN. Where they soon welcomed their second daughter, Samantha.

Elaine spent most of her time during Jenni and Samantha’s childhood traveling to softball and basketball games to watch them play. She could often be found knitting or crocheting while watching games, regardless of the weather.

For a long time, Elaine owned her own home daycare business. Once the girls were all grown, she gave that up and began proudly working for her brother-in-law’s company as a bookkeeper. Her sharp math skills came in handy as she filled payroll, helped bid jobs, and filed the taxes.

When she wasn’t working or raising kids, Elaine was an avid gardener and had sprawling gardens every spring and summer. She certainly had a magic touch. She loved to cook and would make anything from a standard hot dish to a Hildebrandt family recipe, often using ingredients from her gardens.

After a long day of gardening, Elaine, sometimes called Fran by close family and friends, could easily be found resting with four dogs fighting for a warm spot on her lap, with a Twins game on the television. Fran loved to watch any and all sports, but Twins baseball was her all-time favorite. She would often rewatch the Twins 1987 and 1991 World Series games.

Besides gardening, her favorite summer activity was attending the Minnesota State Fair. The family attended almost every year as the girls grew up, and found a renewed love for the fair as the girls became adults. Elaine would send them off to retrieve her favorites that included cheese curds, french fries, and a turkey sandwich.

Elaine was a wonderful mother, daughter, wife, sister, and caregiver and we are fortunate to know, to love, and to miss her.