Elaine was born on August 28, 1944, to Eleanor and Walter Kummer in Rahway, New Jersey. Elaine graduated from Upsala College in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She married John Olsen on October 28, 1967, and they honeymooned in New England and fell in love with Maine. She worked as a 3rd grade teacher in Scotch Plains, New Jersey until 1969, when she and John moved to Plymouth, Maine. She then taught 4th grade at Hartland Consolidated School for four years.

In 1976 John and Elaine built a house and moved to Dixmont, where she lived for the next 50 years. In 1983 they planted 500 apple trees and started the business Maine-ly Apples. Over the next 43 years, the orchard grew to 1,700 trees, a cider operation, and was enjoyed by generations of customers and friends.  

Elaine was an active member of the Dixmont community as a long-time member of the Ladies Club and Treasurer of the Dixmont Scholarship Association, an election official, and an elected representative of the SAD 38 school board. She volunteered at the Etna-Dixmont School and was a member of the PTF.

Elaine was an extremely hard worker who cherished living on her farm. She enjoyed gardening, picking apples, reading, and traveling. Some of her favorite adventures included trips to California, Prince Edward Island, Iceland, England, Scotland, Austria, Germany, Missouri and to Illinois to see her son and his family.

Later in life Elaine treasured her time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Elaine reflected lovingly, “John and I had a good life together.”  

She is survived by her husband, John; her son, Matthew Olsen, his wife Celeste; daughter, Emily Holmes and husband Casey; and her siblings, Clair O’Neil and Kenneth Kummer. She was also Ya-Ya to her grandchildren: Jonas, Rowan, Iona, Julian, and Ainsley.

Services will be private. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com.