Elaine was born on June 13, 1924, near Grinnell, Iowa to Virgil and Lucile Phipps Lidtka. She attended rural school and graduated from Grinnell High School with the Class of 1942. On June 15, 1942, she was married to Earl Heishman in Los Angeles, California. The couple lived in California and then moved to Grinnell. She received a teaching certificate from Drake University and taught in rural schools. Following her husband's discharge from the military the couple farmed in Sheridan Township. She was a homemaker and also worked for General Telephone Company and was a business partner of H & B True Value in Grinnell. Elaine was a member of the Sheridan United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and the Sheridan and Sonora Granges. She enjoyed reading, solving cross word puzzles, playing cards and bird watching. The couple enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Alaska and Switzerland. She also enjoyed the Iowa Hawkeyes, attending high school basketball games, auto racing and socializing with her former high school classmates. Survivors include her husband, Earl Heishman of Grinnell; two daughters, Debra (Terry) Lewis of Grinnell and Denise (Dave) Brauer of Littleton, CO; five grandchildren, one great granddaughter; one brother, Lavern Lidtka of Grinnell; and one sister, Carolyn Hotchkin of Grinnell. She was preceded in death by her parents. Memorials may be directed to the Sheridan United Methodist Church and sent in care of Earl Heishman, 914 Orchard Drive, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.