Elaine G. (Hurley) Carlson of Lompoc died Friday, January 1, 2010 at the age of 88.

Elaine was born May 4, 1921 in Escanaba, Michigan to George and Jennie Hurley. Raised and educated in Escanaba, she graduated from Escanaba High School with the class of 1939. She married Reuben A. Carlson on November 5, 1942 in Charleston, North Carolina. They settled in Lompoc in 1951.

Elaine was a member of the Women's Club, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and American Legion. She catered weddings in Lompoc for 25 years specializing in wedding cakes, for which she was famous. She was an excellent seamstress making many items of clothing for her family. She and her husband loved to travel and camp. They especially enjoyed dancing.

Elaine is survived by her daughter, Darlene Cantrell of Modesto, daughter, Sandi Lake of Reno, Nevada, Marie Lachner of Portland, Oregon, daughter, Audrey Hildreth of Lompoc, eight grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. As one of 11 children born to George and Jennie Hurley she is also survived by her brother Edward Hurley of Escanaba, LaVerne Ring of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Marge Hurley of Salem, Oregon, Mary Martin of Gladstone, Michigan, and Donna Nelson of Goleta. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Reuben in 2007.

The visitation will be on Thursday, January 7, from 1-5 pm, and Pastor Joe Byrd of the Bethany Lutheran Church will direct the funeral service on Friday, January 8, at 1:30 pm in the chapel of the Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. Interment will follow in the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.