Mary Elaine Elliott

April 19, 1941 — September 14, 2026

Paola, Kansas

Mary Elaine Elliott, age 86, of Paola, Kansas, passed away Monday, September 14, 2026, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

Elaine was born April 19, 1941, in La Cygne, Kansas. She was the fourth of seven children born to Grover Lorain “Bud” and Mary Enid (Morgan) Miller. She grew up in La Cygne and graduated with the La Cygne Rural High School Class of 1959.

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n June 28, 1959, Elaine and Frank Edwin Elliott were united in marriage in La Cygne, Kansas. The couple moved to Osawatomie in 1964, where they made their home and raised their two sons, David and Daniel.

After moving to Osawatomie, Elaine worked as a secretary for KR Johnson Oilwell Supplies for several years. She then devoted her time to raising her family and stayed home until her youngest son was in fifth grade. At that time, Elaine decided to further her education and enrolled at Pittsburg State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

She worked for several years at Miami County Medical Center and later as a nurse in different doctor’s offices. Elaine eventually retired from nursing and devoted her time to caring for her mother.

Elaine was a talented and devoted quilter. She made quilts for her entire family and was a quilting instructor for many years. She was the person everyone turned to when they needed help with a quilt. Her talent and dedication to quilting earned her a championship award for one of her quilts at the Kansas State Fair. In addition to quilting, Elaine was skilled at knitting, crocheting, and tatting. She enjoyed collecting bells and owls.

Elaine and Frank enjoyed traveling together after Frank’s retirement. Over the years, they traveled to 48 states, Canada and Mexico. They also took several cruises. For approximately eight years, they spent their winters in Texas, where Elaine continued doing what she loved by teaching quilting classes during the winter months. Her love of quilting, along with her willingness to share her knowledge with others, brought her many lasting friendships.

Elaine was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Elliott; her parents, Lorain “Bud” and Mary Miller; three brothers, Loren Miller, Hurst Miller, and Larry Miller; and one sister, Loletta Steed.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Frank Elliott, of the home; her son, David (Sandra) Elliott of Hutchinson, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Lisa Elliott of Doolittle, Missouri; grandsons, Ashley Elliott, Joshua Elliott, and Colby Elliott; two brothers, Francis (Cheryl) Miller of Florida and Phillip (Patricia) Miller of Houston, Texas; along with other extended family members and friends – especially the “Saturday Quilters” and her friends in the Miami County Quilters Guild.

Elaine will be remembered for her loving devotion to her family, her many talents, and especially for the quilts she lovingly created and shared with those she loved.

Visitation 2 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026, followed by service at 2:30 p,m. all at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions are to the Alzheimer's Association in c/o the Eddy Birchard Funeral Home, P.O. Box 430, Osawatomie, KS 66064.

(Published in the Linn County Journal on September 22, 2026.)