Elaine Violet Stevens was born April 7, 1940 in Canton, SD to William and Evelyn (Ruud) Kooiman. She died Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 in Beresford, SD at the age of 76. She and her twin sister Evelyn (Kooiman) Redden spent their early childhood in the Canton and northwest Iowa areas. Due to their mother's illness and subsequent death from tuberculosis, the twins moved to Glenwood, Iowa to attend a state school. Elaine married Richard Stevens on November 17, 1961. She worked in the ironing industry. Upon retiring, she moved to Omaha, Nebraska and lived with her sister for many years. In 2013, the twins moved to Beresford, SD to be closer to their niece and her husband, Connie and Randy Schmidt.

Elaine was known for her quick wit and her big smile. She enjoyed sitting outside her apartment watching traffic, listening to country music, and feeding the local squirrels corn and peanuts. She crocheted and shared countless afghans with others. Her favorite teams were the Huskers and the SDSU Jackrabbits and the school's band, The Pride.

She is survived by her twin sister, Evelyn Redden; three sisters-in-law, Clazina Kooiman of Rock Valley, IA, Joyce Kooiman of Beebe, AR and Rhonda Kooiman of Elk Point, SD; two half sisters-in-law,  Jennie Maassen of Rock Valley, IA and Mina DeBruin of Lynden, WA; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and special friends, Pete and Doreen Fahlberg of Beresford.

Preceding her in death were her parents, four brothers, Bill Kooiman, Ronald Kooiman, Jim Kooiman and Dennis Kooiman;  half-sisters, Gertrude Fauth and Corneal Lusk; and brothers-in-law, Marinus Maassen and Pete DeBruin.

Funeral services will be 10AM Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 at Brooklyn Evangelical Free Church in Beresford. Visitation will be 6-8PM Tuesday at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford.