Elaine Cantrell

Elaine Cantrell, 87 of Dakota City passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. A funeral service will be 10:30 A.M. Monday, July 21, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City. Visitation will be Sunday, July 20, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with 7:00 P.M. prayer service at Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home. Burial will be at Dakota City Cemetery.

Elaine was born the daughter of Sylvester and Ivy (Hanson) Beyeler on February 27, 1938 in rural Newcastle, Nebraska. She graduated from Newcastle High School in 1955. Elaine married Gene H. Cantrell on June 3, 1956 in Newcastle. They enjoyed 64 years together until Gene passed in 2020.

Elaine was a wonderful homemaker and mother to her 4 children. She later began a successful 25 year career with Avon. She started with door-to-door sales and eventually became a district manager, earning multiple Circle of Excellence Awards.

At the center of Elaine’s life was her family and time with them was precious to her. She did enjoy playing cards (she was known for cheating at times to win) and taking annual trips to Vegas with Gene. She liked watching sports, especially the Cubs and of course, Husker football.

She was a longtime 60 plus year member of First Presbyterian Church and a member of different bridge clubs over the years.

Elaine is survived by her children, Terry (Charmaine) Cantrell of Dakota City, NE, Dawn Bauerly of Dakota Dunes, SD, Dynelle (Brett) Downs of Sioux City, IA, and Jenny (Craig) Schmidt of West Point, NE; 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren; siblings, Robin (Jim) Andersen, Carolyn Stanek, Ivette (Lyle) Bender, Pam (Dick) Kettler, and Vetty (Patti) Beyeler; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gene; siblings, Barbara Hoesing, Starr Nielsen, Cherie Bauer, Georgejean Olson, and Myrle Beyeler.