Emily Elaine Becker, daughter of William and Opal (Selbe) Becker, was born April 17, 1918, in Logan County, KS.  She departed this life January 30, 2015, at Doak Walker House in Steamboat Springs, CO.

Elaine and her sisters Nadine and Eula spent their early childhood in the Phillipsburg and Logan, KS, communities amidst a large clan of aunts, uncles and cousins, but by 1929 dustbowl conditions prompted the family to relocate in Colorado.  They traveled to Routt County in a Stanley Steamer auto that objected to high altitudes by vapor locking.  The girls and their mother would get out and push the car until it restarted then rush to climb aboard before it shut down again.

The Beckers lived on a farm in the Sidney area and Elaine attended the one-room Sidney school.  To supplement meager Depression era income, they grew produce for local grocery stores.  Elaine and her sisters recalled hand-watering patches of fledgling cabbage plants, picking strawberries, and hoeing endless rows of vegetables.

After graduating from Steamboat Springs High School in 1936, Elaine attended what was then Colorado State Teachers' College in Greeley.  She earned room and board doing housework and childcare for the George Kimball family who remain lifelong friends across several generations.

July 17, 1938, Elaine and Robert Gay were married in Craig, CO.  They made their home on his family ranch in Pleasant Valley and over the next few years became parents of 3 children—Roberta, Margaret and Bill.  In 1948 they moved across the river to the place they purchased from the Lugon brothers and began to build Green Creek Ranch.  Hard work was the order of the day, but there was always time for fun, especially dances at rural school houses and the Grange Hall.  There were picnics, card parties and potlucks as well as brandings, threshing days and holiday festivities.  These events always involved food, and Elaine established her reputation as an excellent cook, particularly for pies and dinner rolls.

An accomplished seamstress, Elaine made much of the family clothing as well as curtains and home accessories.  She tended to and preserved the produce from a large garden and relaxed by caring for her beautiful flowers and yard.  After her family was grown, she began  tole painting and eventually taught the craft.  She also wrote articles and scripts for historical programs she presented and authored two books, "Cowpokes, Cowpies and Otherwise" a collection of stories and recipes, and a history of the Pleasant Valley Community.

Throughout her life, Elaine was involved in many organizations and community activities.  She belonged to the Mesa Club from the time she was a bride to the present.  She was a charter member of the Routt County CowBelles (CattleWomen).  In the 1970's,  Elaine, Shirley Nay and Shirley Brenner took on the daunting task of coordinating the Colorado Make It Yourself With Wool Contest culminating with a fashion event in Denver.  She was an active supporter of her children's school and 4-H activities, and she loved to play bridge.

In the late 1980's  a proposed ski area and village at Lake Catamount put Elaine in the forefront for organizing opposition to the development and spearheading its eventual defeat nearly a decade later.  Although she remained steadfast in her opposition to most local recreational and expansion development, Elaine befriended many of those who came as a result of the community's changing culture, and she truly relished her status as an "old timer".  She was particularly honored to receive the Hazie Werner Award and to have her story appear in several publications.

Elaine was fortunate to live on her ranch until December, 2014, when failing health necessitated a move to Casey's Pond where she enjoyed the care and company of new and old friends.

Elaine is survived by her children:  Roberta (Delmar) Moellenberg of Idalia; Margaret (Rob) of Westminster; Bill of Steamboat Springs; grandchildren:  Gay (Jeff) Uhland, Eads; Joy (Cody) Akey, Wray; Dell Rae (Mike) Ciaravola, Loveland; Todd (Sarah) Hagenbuch, Phippsburg; Heidi (Mike) Dowell, Odessa, FL; great grandchildren:  Tori and Mindi Uhland; Alaina and Railyn Akey; Trevor and

Amelia Hagenbuch; and Dante Ciaravola.  She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bob; her parents; sister Nadine Reager and husband Robert; sister Eula Bufwack and husband Charles; sister-in-law Amelia More and husband Val; sister-in-law Emma Kuntz and husband Paul.