Obituary of Elaine Frances Aliotta

Elaine was welcomed into heaven on April 21, 2024 after a brief illness and complications from a hip fracture. Her daughters were at her side when she made the transition from earthly life.

Elaine was born to Frank & Ida Buhl of Graceville, MN on September 16, 1924. She grew up on the farm with her two sisters, Margaret and Betty. She shared many stories of the fun the Buhl girls had growing up. She attended the College of St. Benedict. She married Michael Aliotta, an officer in the U.S. Army and had two daughters. Army life allowed them to live in various locations throughout the U.S. and Europe. Elaine and the girls eventually moved back to Morris, Minnesota. Elaine received her teaching degree from UMM. Although she had many careers throughout her life, including being an assistant buyer at Dayton’s, a med tech, owning a furniture store and finally a teacher. From that list, teaching elementary school in Morris was her favorite. She loved her students. She would often have them start their day by standing up and wrapping their arms around themselves to give themselves a big hug. She would tell the students everyone should start the day with a hug. After retiring, she moved to the Twin Cities. She enjoyed dancing, reading, traveling, volunteering and golf. Elaine enjoyed living life to the fullest. She was a “fashionista” who would always put on makeup and a coordinating outfit before leaving the house – even at 99. She was hoping to make it in to her 101st year but ran short by a few months.

Elaine is preceded in death by her fiancée Leo Zaworski, parents, Frank and Ida Buhl, sister and brother-n-law Margaret & Vic Zeiher, brother-in-law EW Bunkers, niece Susan Dahl and nephew Frank Bunkers.

Elaine is survived by daughters Jilda Aliotta (Bloomfield, CT) and Terry (William) Gustafson (Bloomington, MN), sister Betty Bunkers (Oak Park, IL) and several nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank the Fairview Southdale Hospital, Grace Hospice and MC Little Hospice House for their wonderful care.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 on May 16th at the Cremation Society of Edina, 7110 France Ave S. Edina, MN 55435.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to MC Little Hospice House or Grace Hospice.