Elaine Kinstler

Minot

Services for Elaine Kinstler were held Thursday, May 25, 2023, at Concordia Lutheran Church with Pastor Emily Shipman officiating. A reception followed with interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery south of Ambrose following the reception. Elaine Ardis Kinstler, 88, formerly of Crosby died at her home in Minot, North Dakota on May 18, 2023. Visitation was at the Stakston-Martin Funeral Home in Crosby Thursday morning until services at the church.

Elaine Ardis Kinstler, 88, of Minot, North Dakota, longtime Crosby resident, presently of Minot passed away peacefully at her home on May 18th, 2023. Elaine’s Celebration of Life was held at Concordia Lutheran Church on Thursday, May 25th at 2 p.m., Pastor Emily Shipman officiated the service and interment followed at Immanuel Cemetery South of Ambrose.

Elaine was born February 21, 1935, at the Noonan Hospital to Emma (Sortland) and Oscar Haugenoe.

Elaine was raised on her family farm in Ambrose and moved to Crosby in the 8th grade, then graduated from Crosby High School.

After graduating high school, Elaine attended beauty school and was a hairdresser for many years. Elaine was a master of cutting her children and grandchildren’s hair through their childhood. Elaine then became a telephone operator in Williston where she met her husband, Ken.

On October 14th, 1963, Elaine married Kenneth Robert Kinstler Jr. and together they raised four sons and a daughter.

Elaine and Ken lived in several rural areas including Munich, Langdon and Devils Lake before settling in Crosby in 1974. There, Elaine and Ken owned and operated Ken’s Chicken Inn until 1986. After selling the restaurant, Elaine and Ken spent the following seven years travelling to the Adirondack mountains where they worked for a fantastic couple from New York City. Elaine and Ken prepared wonderful meals for their family and guests. Ken and Elaine were able to travel the east coast extensively with this adventure.

Elaine and Ken moved to Williston, ND in 1996 where “grandma” enjoyed babysitting, playing games and baking for her grandkids. Elaine was known as the “Lefse Queen” and shipped her specialty all over the United States, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas. The family savored meals with Elaine every Sunday, her most famous being, meatballs and gravy, chicken and dumplings, and homemade bread. Elaine loved to play pinochle, especially on Tuesday nights with Kayleen (her daughter) at the Moose Lodge in Williston where she was a member for many years. Elaine and Kayleen won several pinochle tournaments together for years on end. Alongside pinochle, Elaine was an avid football fan, not only of her boys, but also of the NFL and her Minnesota Vikings. Elaine never missed her picks with Pro Football Pick’ems football pool that she won numerous times. Elaine’s favorite hobby was sewing. Elaine spent many hours at her Singer sewing machine throughout the years. Elaine specialized in making “Log Cabin” and baby quilts. Throughout her lifetime, Elaine has made hundreds of quilts that she has given to almost every family member and close friend.

Elaine cherished her time with her best friend, Joyce Dahlen, who she met in 1965. Elaine and Joyce loved playing the “slots” and even spent a Christmas together in Las Vegas!

Elaine spent the past 10 years living with her daughter, Kayleen and her family in Colorado and most recently, Minot, ND. Kayleen cherished the precious time she had taking care of her throughout her end of life. What a privilege it has been.

Elaine never missed a Sunday of her Christian Worship Hour on TV with Pastor Harold Salem of Aberdeen, SD. In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials sent to Christian Worship Hour, 1623 6th Ave. SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401.

Elaine is survived by her children; Kevin and his children, Hannah, Calum and Jakob; Kent; Kort and his son Mikail (Jackie) and their children, Olivia and Ellie; daughter Chandra and her children Sebastian and Baxter; and son Kason; Kyle (Terri), and their children Kyle, Jordan and Creighton; Kayleen (Alan) and their children, Michael (Erin) and their son Ethan; Kaitlyn (Megan), Kameron, Konner and Kennedie.

Elaine is also survived by her siblings Nancy Burns (Elgin), Don Haugenoe (Vicki) and Doug Haugenoe, several nieces, nephews and special family members; Mary Kinstler and Hazel Kinstler.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Emma Haugenoe, brother, Edward Haugenoe, sister, Donna Kroshus, and brother, Roger Haugenoe.

Published by The Minot Daily News, May 26, 2023.