Katherine Elaine (Ewing) Forrester, 79, of Memphis passed away February 25, 2026, at her home.
She was born September 29, 1946, in Keokuk, Iowa, the oldest of two children born to Clark Baldwin and Katherine Madeline (Monroe) Ewing of Rutledge, Missouri. She was the granddaughter of Nick Bland and Bessie Vernon (Cox) Ewing of Rutledge, Missouri, and Fred D. and Ethel Blanche (Raine) Monroe of Gorin, Missouri.
Elaine attended elementary school (grades 1-3) at South Liberty Grade School, a country school north of Rutledge, Missouri. When South Liberty Grade School closed, she attended grades 4-8 at Rutledge R-IV School in Rutledge, Missouri. She was a 1964 graduate of Gorin High School in Gorin, Missouri, and a 1964 graduate of Gem City Business College, Quincy, Illinois, where she served as president of the Theta Alpha Chi sorority.
She married Sterling Dean Forrester on December 5, 1964, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Gorin, Missouri. Sterling was the only child of Francis Herman and Hazel Florine (Garrett) Forrester, of Memphis, Missouri. From 1964 until 2017, they lived in Sterling’s childhood country home in the Edinburg community, south of Memphis, Missouri. In 2017, they moved into Sterling’s late parents’ home in Memphis.
To this union were born two daughters: Angela Lee (Forrester) Westhoff and Alisa Renee (Forrester) Kigar. Elaine’s greatest joy was being Angela and Alisa’s mother. She often said, “Every day is Mother’s Day for me!”
As a young lady, she made a profession of faith and became a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Gorin, Missouri. Following her marriage, she united with the First Christian Church in Memphis, Missouri, where she sang in the church choir, served as deaconess, Sunday School teacher, music leader, funeral meal director, Tuesday After School Kids (T.A.S.K.) snack lady and in many leadership capacities.
Following her marriage, she was employed in administrative support at the Orlo Harrison MFA Insurance Agency in Memphis. In 1976, she began employment at Keith’s Cafe in Memphis, where she worked for 32 years. She was also a school bus driver for the Rutledge and Scotland County School Districts for 44 years.
Elaine was a member of Rutledge Chapter #343, Order of the Eastern Star, for more than 60 years and served as Worthy Matron, District Deputy Grand Matron, and Grand Representative of South Dakota in Missouri. She served as Grand Martha for the Grand Chapter of the State of Missouri, Order of the Eastern Star, in 2018-2019.
At the time of her death, Elaine served as vice-president of the Rutledge School Restoration Society Board and devoted countless hours to hands-on labor and fundraising for the building’s preservation. She was among the dedicated board members who secured its placement on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its historical significance at the federal level.
Elaine also served as assistant chaplain of the Jauflione Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and as vice-president of the Scotland County Historical Society, which oversees the Downing & Boyer House Museum Complex, Depot and Pheasant Airplane in Memphis. She was respected regionally for her volunteer catering in support of a variety of philanthropic causes. She had a passion for recycling, historic preservation, and patriotism. In recognition of her service, she received the Rotary International Community Service Award in 2012, was inducted into the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame in 2020, and she received the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award in 2026.
In 2021, at the age of 75, she climbed and descended Diamond Head in Oahu, Hawaii, during the Scotland County High School Band trip to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. She was so proud of this physical accomplishment that she asked her daughters to make sure this achievement was included in her obituary.
Elaine was a trained soprano and was invited to sing on many occasions throughout Northeast Missouri as a young vocalist. In more recent years, she enjoyed singing in ensembles and in a trio with her daughters.
She was preceded in death by her husband on May 4, 2018; her father on December 17, 1990; her mother on August 14, 2013; her father-in-law on August 23, 1985; and her mother-in-law on September 25, 2015.
She is survived by two daughters: Angela Westhoff, and her husband, Scott, of Kirksville, Missouri; and Alisa Kigar, and her husband, Jim, of Bible Grove, Missouri; four grandchildren: Megan Renee (Westhoff) Hamilton, and her husband, Kenneth, of Maryville, Missouri; Shelby Ann (Westhoff) Lemon, and her husband, Will, of LaPlata, Missouri; Sergeant Eli Richard Kigar of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington (Active Duty U.S. Army); and Elsie Elaine Kigar of Bible Grove, Missouri; six great-grandchildren: Harper Madelyn, Hinton Scott, Hatcher James, Holdyn Margaret, and Huett Paul Hamilton of Maryville, Missouri and Gus William Hayes of LaPlata, Missouri; and a bonus great-grandchild, Stetson Charles Lemon of LaPlata, Missouri. She is also survived by her sister, Janet Lee (Ewing) Deaton, and her husband, Don, of Huntsville, Alabama.
33 comments
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Elaine was a Volunteer with Hospice of Northeast Missouri and she visited many of our patients. She had a smile that would light up the room. She always said that “She tried to bloom, wherever God planted her.” Well she did exactly that!! She was always helping someone and was always on the go. I will surely miss her coming into my office to give me a report. Rest in Peace my sweet friend, your job here is done. The rest of us have big shoes to fill now.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your mother & sister was a very special and loving lady. I will be Praying for all of y’all. I will miss her dearly!
It is believed that our departed loved ones await us in our eternal home. May divine peace comfort your family as they navigate life without your presence, a journey I am certain will be challenging. Our 2019 Grand family will undoubtedly feel your absence, as well as Jeanette’s. You will be profoundly missed by many. So may it ever be.
Elaine, you will be missed by so many. Our community will not be the same without you. But I thank our God who is the ultimate Sovereign God, that he took you quietly and without pain. I’m sure Jesus’ arms were wide open when you arrived and I’m sure there was a “well done, thy good and faithful servant” welcoming you. May we all strive to live our lives as giving as yours was. Love and prayers…Kathy
Elaine was a jewel. She would tell me stories about my mom and dad. I would laugh for days. All of her family meant the world to my family. I will miss everything about her, especially her food and lemonade. You’ve worked hard. Enjoy your peace. Tell all my family that Jo Beth and I love and miss them.
Elaine was a lovely and caring person. Memphis will miss her! Prayers for her family.
Fr Rob Fields
Elaine was one of a kind, she was a very special lady, and will be sorely missed. We extend our sincerest sympathy to Angela, Alisa, their families and friends.
I am so very sorry. She was so kind and loving. My prayers are with all of you
Such a fine human being condolences to the family of an incredibly awesome lady
Our sincere sympathy to you and your family
Thoughts and prayers to you all!!!Your Mother was a special lady that so many in your community loved her dearly. She will be missed by many. Cherish all your precious memories.
Oh my, such touching tributes written here! Each tribute is one everyone feels!
We loved, admired, & adored Elaine!
We were blessed to have been in her circle of friends!
She will be tremendously missed!!
Thinking of you and sending my deepest condolences during this difficult time. Elaine’s memory will surely be a blessing and she won’t be forgotten. Holding you close in my thoughts and sending you strength. May you find comfort in the love and support surrounding you.✝️
I am so sorry for your loss. I thought the wold of your Mom.
Like so many, I loved, admired and appreciated Elaine very much. She was a role model that I and many looked to. She was humble, caring and wise with words. She loved people! Her family has so many wonderful memories and will always be blessed by the example she was to them. She served her family well. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ and served Him well,
I will miss her.
So sorry for your loss.
I have never met a woman filled with more kindness. I think it surrounded her. She will be missed greatly. Take comfort in knowing she was loved by all.
Thinking of you during this difficult time and sending you all my love. Elaine was such a special person, and I know she’ll be deeply missed by everyone who knew her. ✝️
Such a special woman. An example to all. A true woman of God.
May your days be filled with wonderful memories of Elaine
Thinking of you all! She was special to a many people and will be missed!
Elaine, you were a very dear and wonderful friend to me as well as numerous others. I’m going to miss our phone calls and our dinner dates that we both enjoyed catching up on. Rest in peace my friend. My life will never be the same without you in it. Praying for all the family and her friends.
What a wonderful life she lived. Let these wonderful memories comfort you. Always smile as you remember the good times.
Thinking about each of you and your dear sweet families! Big hugs! Love your Oklahoma family Andy, Ashley, Addy and Austin Ewing
Elaine was a special Sister to our 2019 Grand Family. I will miss the smiles and hugs that she always gave us. The Green Heart of our year is now with our Yellow Heart. Just know your families are in my thoughts and prayers. May God grant you all the Peace and Comfort you need at this time. This Blue Heart is saddened that I could not attend due to sickness. All my love to you all at this hard time.
A life very well lived! Rest in peace Elaine. Your job here on Earth is done. Enjoy the place Jesus has prepared for you in heaven.
I recall the love and admiration you have for your mother. After reading her obituary, if each of us only achieved a tenth of her accomplishments, we would consider our life a success. How beautiful that you were gifted such a mother! May God continue to bless you and also grant you peace as you walk through these hard days of grief.
So sorry to hear about. Elaine’s passing. She was always so kind and happy. And will be missed by so many.
Elaine was a light in every room she entered — warm, kind, and endlessly giving. Her love touched so many lives, and her spirit will continue to inspire us every day.
Your mother was a God send to so many people. We all loved her dearly. She has earned her place in Heaven for sure. Celebration of Life
Praying for all her family and friends. ❤️
Condolences from the Harold & Dorothy Childress family…Linda Kapfer, LeAnn Carl (deceased 2023), Candy Humes, Mickey Schaefer to everyone in the family.
Elaine and LeAnn were in each others’ weddings as bridesmaids. Attended Gorin High School and went to Gem City Business College together in Quincy. Such good friends for decades.
RIP Elaine. Your impact on Memphis and the enire region is exemplary and to be celebrated.
You and LeAnn are now laughing in heaving together remembering all the fun times.
With sympathy and friendship.
Mickey and Family
Elaine was a very special person. I always enjoyed listening to her stories. She was truly one-of-a-kind and will be dearly missed by all. Deepest condolences and sympathies for the entire family. Praying for the family to find comfort and peace during this difficult time. I’m really going to miss her!
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