Elaine Coulombe

After a courageous four year battle with ovarian cancer, on May 23, 2011, Elaine (Berndt) Coulombe went to her eternal home in the loving arms of God to rest in peace with her father, Leonard and brother, LeRoy.    A memorial service for Elaine will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elysian on Saturday May 28th at 11:00 am. McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory of Waseca is handling arrangements.   She is survived by daughter Paula (Jeff) Miller and their two beautiful children Carlee and Colby of Lakeville; mother Aletta Berndt of Elysian; sister Edith (Renato) Chiavatti of Raleigh, North Carolina; sister Rita (Glenn) Vogler of Elysian; niece Nichole Ronich (Chris); nephews Anthony Chiavatti (Melanie) and Christopher Vogler (Kristen) and special friend Tom Wolke of Waseca.  She is also survived by her Coulombe family:  Mildred Coulombe of Waseca; Terrie Oliver (Don) of Burnsville and their children; Roland (John) Coulombe Jr (Becki) Coulombe of Waseca and their children; Mike Coulombe.  Elaine spent her working years at Mayo Clinic (1963-1967) and then Brown Printing in Waseca, Minnesota, until her retirement in 2003. She enjoyed reading, quilting, camping and helping those in need.  During her lifetime she was married to Joe Duenes and then later Mike Coulombe.  She was preceded in death by Leonard Berndt, LeRoy Berndt, Joe Duenes, Roland Coulombe Sr, Chris Coulombe and many other friends and relatives.  Symptoms of ovarian cancer are often difficult to detect until it is in the advanced stages.  In fact, for women it is known as the silent killer.  Knowledge is power. To honor Elaine, her daughter is requesting all women insist their doctors screen them regularly to ensure early detection.  High levels of pure Vitamin C, a near elimination of sugar and adequate levels of Vitamin D3 are also cancer fighting tools.  One of the best tests for early detection of cancer is a CA 125 blood test and regular ultrasounds.  Please take control, learn about this terrible disease and fight for the women we love.