Elaine Louise Brauckmiller

Elaine L. Brauckmiller, beloved by her family and friends, passed away on May 9th, 2026, at age 85, in Portland, Oregon after complications from a fall at home. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Claire and Ruth Palmer; brother, Charles; sister, Barbara Forrey; and son, Mark.

Elaine was born November 19, 1940, in Boise, Idaho, and moved to Portland as a child. She met her husband, Bob on a blind date at age 16, and they married not long after, and have been married for 68 years. She graduated from Jefferson High School, and followed Bob to college at George Fox. Their son, Mark was born in June 1959, and daughter, Tami was born in December of 1960.

After moving into their home in North Portland, Elaine and Bob began fostering babies from Waverly Children’s Home. They have taken care of and were able to name 36 babies that were awaiting adoptions, and ultimately adopted 2 as their own: Marci & Todd. Elaine also babysat for numerous families for many years. On top of caregiving and raising a family, she began her work life as a secretary at O.W.T. in Portland, then on to Yellow Freight to earn a retirement and pension.

Elaine loved spending time with her family at reunions, picnics, and holiday gatherings and grandkids’ sporting or school events. She was always willing to take on new craft projects with Tami or go to one more ball game to watch Mark play, or even to games to watch Bob play as well.

Elaine is survived by her husband, Bob; daughter-in-law, Sheri; daughters, Tami Stenberg and husband, Steve, and Marci Sanchez, and husband, Joe; son, Todd; eight grandchildren, Michael Brauckmiler, Jennifer Mace and husband, Cody, Pete Stenberg and wife, Jessica, Rachel Stenberg and husband, Andrew, Clara, Grace, & Lily Sanchez, and Todd Brauckmiller Jr.; and four great-grandchildren, Dominic & Kai Mace, and Grant & Genevieve Stenberg.

Please join us in remembering Elaine at an open house from 12p.m. to 3p.m., on Saturday, July 11th, 2026 at 7275 SE Clackamas Rd, Milwaukie, OR.