Elaine Rebecca Kudej Herald 1926 – 2008

Elaine R. Kudej Herald, age 82, loving mother, wife, sister, grandmother, and aunt, passed away in her home on September 23, 2008. She was born in Mason City, Iowa on August 24, 1926, to Dora and Edward Kudej, and spent her youth in Clear Lake, Iowa. After graduating from high school in 1944, Elaine moved with her parents to Richland, where her father worked on the Manhattan Project. It was in Richland she met and fell in love with Robert "R.C." Herald, a Navy Seabee home on leave. They were soon married and moved to Oklahoma, R.C.'s home state, where he finished his education at Oklahoma State University. Their first son Steven was born in 1948 during this time in Stillwater. She, R.C., and young Steven returned to Washington state where R.C. landed a teaching job at the high school in Fairfield. Elaine was happy to be closer to her mother, father, and sister, all still living in Richland. 1950 saw the birth of second son Craig, and shortly thereafter the family moved to Richland when R.C. accepted a position at the Hanford Project. Elaine's third child, daughter Lori, was born in 1960.

After R.C.'s death in 1975, Elaine transitioned from homemaker to working woman. She enjoyed the friendships and experience she gained while working for Rockwell Hanford and later Boeing Computer Services, from which she retired in the early 1990's.

Elaine was blessed with a sharp mind and wit, and loved keeping track of current affairs and politics. She particularly enjoyed, and looked forward to, family gatherings for birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. She was a very special woman with a beautiful smile who will be greatly missed.

Elaine was preceded in death by infant sister Dorothy, brother James, parents Dora and Edward Kudej, husband R.C., son Steven, brother-in-law Kenneth Lucas, and brother Dean Kudej. She leaves behind son Craig of Richland, daughter Lori Horton John of Richland; grandsons Scott Herald, Craig Herald, and Ryan Horton; granddaughters Jodi Stelmack and Tamara Horton; great-grandchildren Ashley and Chance Stelmack; sister Jean "Madeline" Lucas; nephews Mike Lucas, Ken Lucas, Jon Lucas, Jeff Lucas, Chris Lucas and families; and her constant canine companion Korky.

A graveside memorial service will be held at Einan's Sunset Memorial Gardens at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 28th.