Elaine Getting

Rural Matlock

Elaine Getting, 77, of rural Matlock passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Friendly Horizons in Sioux Center. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Parkview Assembly in Sheldon with Pastor Ken Snyder and Mark Chandler, officiating.

Burial will be at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery in Matlock.

Visitation with family present will be from 6 to 8 P.M. on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Friendly Horizons in Sioux Center or St. Jude Hospital.

IN LOVING MEMORY

ELAINE GETTING

BORN

October 4, 1948

Little Rock, Arkansas

PASSED AWAY

April 15, 2026

Sioux Center, Iowa

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

11:00 A.M. Friday, April 24, 2026

Parkview Assembly of God Church; Sheldon, Iowa

CLERGY

Pastor Mark Chandler & Pastor Ken Snyder

EULOGY

Bob Smith

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS

“Be Still And Know That I Am God”

“It Is Well With My Soul”

“Leaning On The Everlasting Arms”

Pianist: LuAnn Snyder

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS

Kaylee Sajdak 

Austin Pohl

Andrew Pohl 

Alison Pohl

Hunter Getting 

Abrahm Pohl

FINAL RESTING PLACE

At a later date

Greenwood Cemetery – Matlock, Iowa

After today’s service, relatives and friends are invited to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to:

Friendly Horizons in Sioux Center or St. Jude Hospital.

Arrangements are under the care of the

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa.

Elaine Getting was born on October 4, 1948, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Emma Jean and Darrell Thomason. As the daughter of an Army First Sergeant, she lived in Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Germany. Ever the scholastic star, she excelled in every school she attended, earning herself a 4.0 GPA in high school and college.

After traveling the world and conquering her education, she moved to Colorado on a whim with her friends, packing her bags in a flurry one night and hopping in the car the next day.

The three friends would sit by their apartment window in the evenings and watch the cute military boys roll in after their day on the local base. Soon, a party was organized, the boys were invited, and not knowing it at the time, she was introduced to Dennis, the love of her life.

Though his friend initially asked her out, it was Dennis who eventually won her heart. After a five-month courtship, the two were engaged.

They married six months later in Texas on a perfect 70-degree day, but Elaine received a true "Iowa welcome" shortly after when she moved to the family farm on a bitter 30-below day. She embraced her new life as a farm wife, helping with chores, walking beans, and surprising the harvest crews with "exotic" meals like lasagna in a land of roast beef and potatoes.

A Southern girl at heart, Elaine was a firm believer in going barefoot all summer long–a tradition she passed to her children–much to the chagrin of Dennis, who once barely survived a barefoot walk down a gravel road to their friends’ house. She was an avid reader and gardener who found peace pulling weeds. She loved trying new recipes in the kitchen, and enjoyed camping, shopping, and a well-earned nap on the couch. Elaine also served her community through her work with the Sheldon School District for 26 years.

She was a loving mom and a doting grandma. She was the quiet heart of the home, watching her husband, kids, and grandkids sled in the snow from the warmth of the sunporch while cocoa warmed on the stove.

Known for her gentle spirit, quiet but firm faith, grace, and good manners, she leaves behind a legacy of kindness to both friends and strangers. Her devotion to her family and her unwavering trust in the Lord was her life’s testament.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Mary Jo. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Dennis; her children Kennan (Nicole), Denise (Chris), and Sharon (Bob); her grandchildren Kaylee (Dan), Hunter, Austin (Hannah), Andy, Alison, and Abe; and her great-grandchildren Alayna, Henrik, Ashlyn, and Graham.