Norma "Elaine" Muskrat

Long time resident of Riverdale, Elaine Muskrat, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, January 3 ^rd at age 83. She was born on July 31, 1937 to Arthur & Martha Red in Firebaugh, CA. She lived the majority of her life in the Central Valley where she met and married her lifelong partner Hayden Muskrat, who recently passed away last June. They were married in Las Vegas, NV on January 22, 1956. This past January would have marked their 65 ^th wedding anniversary.

Elaine was known as an awesome cook both personally and professionally. She refined her cooking skills while working for the Riverdale Elementary School for 30+ years where she retired as Head Cook in 2002. She always reminisced about the ladies she worked with and the friendships she developed over the years while at Riverdale Elementary. Most of her family has also benefited from her love of cooking and sharing of some unique recipes and techniques and the care she put into each dish. She loved preparing dishes for family gatherings and her beloved Bridge Group. She always looked forward to "Bridge Night" and often spoke of the dishes each of the ladies prepared and the recipes they shared. Along with Bridge she loved playing games with family, card games and dominoes were her favorites, but most importantly "Slot Machines". After retirement Hayden & Elaine were know as "Regulars" at The Palace in Lemoore. They loved to go out for breakfast or dinner and then spend quality time at the slot machines.

To family and friends she was and always will be Mom, Grammy, 2 ^nd Mom, Nanie, Elaine and for a short time Mrs. Modoc. Not only did she raise 3 boys, but on many occasions she would "adopt" neighborhood kids, friends or any other family member in need of a place to live. The door and her kitchen were always open. Her love for family grew beyond belief with the addition of daughter in laws, grand children and great grand children. Nothing was more important to her than spending time with family. Her generosity and smile will be greatly missed, but her legacy will carry on through her profound influence on family and friends.

Elaine is survived by her 3 sons; Steve & Iona of Bakersfield, Dennis of Visalia, Mark & Marylou of Riverdale; 6 Grand Children; 7 Great Grand Children; 2 Brothers; Ron Red of Clovis & Keith Olivas of Visalia; Brother in Law, Hubert Muskrat of San Leandro.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held on February 9 ^th at 11:30 AM at the Assembly of God Church in Riverdale.