Elaine Rindahl Palmer
March 21, 1939 - January 26, 2026

Elaine Rindahl Palmer left this world on her own terms on January 26, 2026, at her home in Fortuna surrounded by three generations of her family. She was 86 years old.

Elaine Palmer was born on March 21, 1939 in Bellflower, California to Beula Olive Wilson and Johannes Rindahl. The oldest of four siblings, she had one brother and two sisters, and all of them grew up surrounded by generations of extended family. When her father had a devastating accident and sustained serious injuries, her family rallied together and got them through that difficult time.

Elaine was a diligent student, and she knew the value of preparing for her future. After graduating high school, she attended community college, earning an Associate of Arts degree, before beginning her first stint working for Sears & Roebuck Company.

In 1960, Elaine married George Arthur Palmer III in Compton, California, and shortly thereafter moved to Arcata to help care for her ailing mother-in-law. After George’s mother died in 1961, they decided to stay in Humboldt County.

Elaine had three children: George Arthur (b. 1963), Stephen Michael (b. 1964), and Kevin Eugene (b. 1967). They purchased a home on Park Street in Eureka, California, previously owned by George’s aunt in 1963, and the family lived there until Kevin became an adult.

While she raised her children, Elaine was active in Cub Scouts, PTA and Little League Baseball. She was a den mother, helped start the Lafayette Elementary School library, served as PTA President and score keeper for the Orioles Little League team. She was an avid homemaker who cooked, baked, sewed and cross-stitched. She even scrapped and repainted her house when it suited her.

In 1976, Elaine and George divorced, and she returned to work at Sears & Roebuck Company, starting out in the catalog department and promoting through the credit department into personnel, eventually becoming the personnel manager. She worked for well over 30 years, earning the friendship and respect of many colleagues, and securing her own retirement.

After retirement, Elaine returned to volunteer work. She helped at the Lafayette Elementary School library where her grandchildren attended, and then she moved on to the Humboldt County Library. She sewed projects for her grandchildren and started a holiday Lefse-baking tradition that involved the whole family. Elaine cherished her time with her grandchildren. She spent countless hours with them playing games, spending time with them on picnics at the park, reading to them, cooking with them and always showing them how much she loved them. You could always find her at her grandchildren’s sporting events. One year, she attended 62 baseball and softball games including four in one day — two in Fortuna and two in Eureka.

Elaine was known for her big, generous heart. She felt deeply and showed it through letters, gifts, phone calls, emails, baked goods and always remembering birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and other events important to those she loved. Family,  friends and the love for them were what was most important to her.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John Rindahl (Sue), her sister Loriene Brummel (Marshal), and her longtime friend Dana McVay.

Elaine is survived by her three sons: George Arthur (Kari), Stephen Michael, and Kevin Eugene (Debbie); her sister Karen Rindahl; daughters-in-law Nancy Smith and Missy Jackson; grandchildren Kyle (Lauren), Eugene, Dalton (Izabella), Shannon, and Holden (Kendra); great grandchildren Tatum and Navie ; nephews Travis Rindahl & Marshal Rindahl; and niece Jennifer Rindahl.

Special thanks to the nurses and nurse’s aides at Sequoia Springs who provided exceptional care throughout her stay and to Micky Zigenbien for her visits, phone calls, love and support throughout their lifelong friendship.

A celebration of life will be held the day after her birthday, on March 22, 2026 at the Monday Club, located at 610 Main Street, Fortuna from 1 to 4 p.m. Mom’s wishes were to have a potluck in her honor. So a potluck it is. Please bring a dish of your choice to the celebration of life. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in her honor to the charity of your choice.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Elaine Palmer’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.