Elaine L. Judkins Laasch

Elaine L. Judkins Laasch, 84, died February 6, 2026.

She was born Oct. 7, 1941 in Williston, North Dakota to Jay and Borghild Judkins. She was raised and educated there, along with her seven siblings.

In 1962 her family relocated to Libby, Montana. There she began her waitressing career working at Ten Pin café, Henry’s Café and the husky café alongside her mother. Elaine married Virgil Laasch in 1971. She opened a figure salon called Elaine‘s Figure Salon in 1978. They moved to Cut Bank Montana where she continued her waitressing career at the Bergen‘s Café and the Big Sky Café.

Elaine loved waitressing, going to coffee, exercise group with her many friends and cooking for her family.

Elaine moved to Butte, Montana in 2020 and found long lasting friends at Meadowland Apt. She was very active in the weekly game days, lunches, potluck and was well known for her blue cheese dressing and fudge at the bazaars there and they always sold out.

Elaine was proceeded in death by her husband, Virgil, brothers Jack Judkins, Jim Judkins, Charles Judkins, Les Judkins, Dwayne Judkins and sister Barbara Arthaud.

Survivors include her two children Greg (Kim) Laasch of Florence, Montana, Robin Thompson of Ulm, Montana, grandchildren, Joshua (Brooke) Thorson of Clinton, Montana, Daniel (Caitlyn) Laasch of Florence, Montana, Alex (Kendall) Laasch of Florence, Montana, Jaden (Candence) Jennings of Helena, Montana, Zack Smith, Great Falls, Montana, Rylan Jennings, Great Falls, Montana, and twin sister Eileen Felland of Sandpoint, Idaho.

A memorial service will be held in Libby, Montana at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at the Venture Inn in the Redwood Room.