Dr. Elaine D. Shelton

Dr. Elaine D. Shelton, 99, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Wheatland Manor.

Elaine Doris Hass Shelton was born on July 18, 1925, in Clinton, Iowa, at Jane Lamb Hospital, the daughter of Virtus and Ellnora (Meyer) Hass. She was baptized and confirmed at Elvira Zion Lutheran Church. Elaine attended rural elementary school in Camanche and high school at Clinton High, graduating from Calamus High School. She studied teacher training and vocal music at Mt. St. Claire, Clinton, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Augustana, Rock Island in 1973. Elaine was a Doctor of Chiropractic, a 1947 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, having attended with her husband, Dr. M.E. Shelton, following his service in World War II.  

Elaine was united in marriage to Marlon Shelton on January 20, 1945, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, rural Calamus. Elaine provided devoted chiropractic support for her husband and family throughout his career in their practices in Oelwein and DeWitt.  She also held elementary, middle school, and Palmer College teaching positions, along with various choir directing roles. She received professional vocal and choir directing training from Mt. St. Claire, University of Iowa, Christiansen Choral School, and Wartburg Seminary of Dubuque. Her love of music and her faith were major life themes having participated in various church and community choirs, and ladies’ groups.

Surviving are a son Dr. Jim Shelton of DeWitt; daughters, Shirley (Dillon) Franks of DeWitt, and Sally (Chris) Scott-Hendrix of Clarkston, MI, and special daughter Gayle (Dennis) Sopousek of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren Kelli (Brian) Bruckman of Coralville, IA, Carri Marando of Davenport, IA,  Dr. Lindsey (Julian) Mortenson of Ann Arbor, MI, Reed Young of Union, KY, Marisa Franks of Lilburn, GA, Camille (Jeff) Franks Check of Longmont, CO, James R. Shelton of Plymouth, MN, Melissa Kelly of Los Angeles, CA, Steven Scott, Rachel Scott, and Gianna, Marissa, and Dominic Hendrix of Clarkston, MI; 13 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren; a sister Verna Lenth of Edgewood, IA, and brother Fred Hass of Mechanicsville; nieces and nephews.

Elaine is preceded in death by her husband in 2007; son Robert; her parents; infant great-grandson Luke; sister Jean Jungck; brothers-in-law Lee Lenth, Maurice Jungck, and Oscar Shelton; and sister-in-law Joan Shelton.

A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 25, 2024, at Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt. Burial will follow at Kvindherred Lutheran Cemetery, rural Calamus. The family will greet relatives and friends at a luncheon following the burial in the Grace Lutheran Church fellowship hall.

Memorials and donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt, Iowa. 

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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