Obituary of Elaine Bloomquist

(Mabel) Elaine Bloomquist passed away peacefully February 4th in hospice care at Rose Villa Retirement Center just two days away from her 102nd birthday. She was one of two children of Henry and Mabel Sorensen, raised in Gresham Oregon and graduating from high school there. After high school Elaine assisted Bishop Baxter of the Methodist Church while active in the church and YMCA activities. It was there she met Gilbert (Gib) Bloomquist, a teacher/counselor and single father with daughter Linda and knew he was the one! They were married in 1947 and created Gib’s Variety Store, built a cabin at Government Camp and welcomed daughters Marie and later Karen. They enjoyed the Oregon outdoors, skiing, camping and traveling to favorite places. During their time in Eugene Elaine developed lifelong friendships and was President of the Eugene Junior League. The family later returned to live in Oak Grove for the last 55 years, 27 of them at Rose Villa Retirement Center. She was a Sunday school teacher for years in Portland, Eugene and Oak Grove. Elaine enjoyed music and performances, was an avid reader, lifelong gardener of all flowers – roses a favorite, and a lover of birds. For many years she has explored ancestry and participated in developing the extended family tree. Elaine was a volunteer at the Oak Grove United Methodist Church and the Rose Villa Retirement Center; places where she thoroughly loved being and interacting with the people. Elaine believed in keeping the mind and body active; traveling as much as she could for as long as possible and continuing activities such as Tai Chi well into her 90’s. After Gib’s death from Alzheimer’s in 2004 she volunteered to be part of a study at Oregon Health & Science University where her daily life was monitored for the rest of her life - contributing to the understanding of the disease and why some are affected but others not. She also trained with Stephens ministry to help others as a lay minister. “One day our Pastor asked for help in contacting people with problems. I heard myself volunteering and began learning how to minister to others, by just listening with supportive presence and words. I enjoyed it and I enjoy all my friends at OGM and here at Rose Villa. AND ESPECIALLY MY FAMILY! It is a joy for me in these later years.” Elaine was devoted to her family and many friends, embracing life. She helped to care for her parents in later years, along with her brother Ed with whom she was always very close. Elaine was the rock of her family and friends, listening calmly to their concerns and offering advice when asked. She embraced her family and friends with joy, grace, and acceptance - a trait she has instilled in all of her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was a true humanitarian who will be greatly missed yet forever appreciated by family and friends. She is survived by stepdaughter, Linda; daughters, Siri and Karen; grandchildren, Ajeet, Erin, Chayla, and Drew; and great grandchildren, Noah, Marshall, Caylen, Ayla, and Imara. Services will be held at Rose Villa Retirement Home 13505 S E River Road, Milwaukie on April 1, 2023 at 1 p.m. All family and friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to one of Elaine’s favorite charities; Alzheimer’s Association, Clackamas Service Center, UNICEF or the United Methodist Committee on Relief.