Elaine J. Cuklanz Cowan
Elaine Joy Cuklanz Cowan, 68, of Polson, MT passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.
Elaine was born on April 18, 1941 in Estherville, Iowa, the daughter of the late Fred and Doris Hannover Cuklanz.
Elaine made education a priority and earned several degrees beginning in 1964 at the University of Iowa receiving her BA in General Science and Medical Technology, the Radioisotope Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN receiving an NM (ASCP) in Nuclear Medicine Technology in 1965 and later returned to the University of Iowa in 1968 to earn her Masters degree in Science Education and Radiobiology.
In 1975, Elaine became involved with the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology, which accredits educational programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology. Later in 1981, Elaine became the Executive Director of the committee until her retirement in 2007. During this time span, Elaine’s dedication to the field earned her much recognition in the Nuclear Medical Society.
She was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson and a member of the PEO Ladies Group, which promotes the educational opportunities of women. Elaine loved to travel with her husband in their motor home and had the privilege of having traveled to both the Arctic and Antarctica.
Besides her parents, two brothers, George and Walter Cuklanz precede Elaine in death.
Those left with cherished memories are her husband, John S. Cowan of Polson; two step-children, John G. Cowan of Denver, CO and Wendy Windham of Roy, WA; and a brother, Harland Cuklanz of Witbraham, MA.
Visitation for friends and family will be held on Friday, November 13, 2009 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at the Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, 10:30 AM, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Polson, with Rev. Paul Rowold officiating. Interment will occur in Elaine’s hometown of Estherville, Iowa at Fairview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made as a donation to the Greater Polson Community Foundation, PO Box 314, Polson, MT 59860. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff at Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Elaine’s family.
Dear John:
We were very sorry to hear the news about Elaine yesterday. She was an adventurous spirit whose love and energy will be missed. Please know that you and Elaine will be in our thoughts and prayers in the weeks and months to come.
Love from The Cuklanz Family
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a high school classrmate from Estherville and had the good fortune to talk with Elaine at our reunion in September. It was wonderful to learn about her success in nuclear medicine. Surprised I was not, because I had always known she was an excellent student, but she was on the quiet side growing up and struggled, I gather, against some significant odds. I admire what she accomplished as well as the person she was, and I feel great sympathy for those who were closest to her. They must feel great loss.
Bob Lee
Colorado Springs
I am one of Elaine’s classmates from Estherville and I am certainly saddened to hear of her death. I am so glad she was able to attend our 50th class reunion and for the opportunity I had to talk with her, even if it was for just a short time.
I’m sure she was special to you, her family. Please be comforted in the fact that there are people who care and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Meredith Mickelson Maytum
Although I did not graduate with the class of 1959, I did go through 7th grade with the group.
I had such a wonderful conversation with Elaine at the 50th reunion about nuclear medicine and learned something new. I was not aware of all of Elaine’s accomplishments and her truly wonderful education and career achievements.
Thank you for such an informative obituary.
I’m sorry I did not get to know her through high school. She would have been a wonderful friend.
My sincere condolences for her loss to all of us.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Cruson
Slinger, Wisconsin
I wanted to say I’m sorry for your family’s loss and also the great loss to the nuclear medicine community. Elaine helped me setup the nuclear medicine programs at Los Angeles City College (1978) and at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science in 1999. She influenced so many lives in the nuclear medicine programs and helped create careers for many of my students. Whenever I had questions or problems she would always make herself available to us…and would stay with us till the problem was solved. She made nuclear medicine a very respected professional imaging service. Thank you for sharing her with us. I/we have many fond memories of her…as I’m sure you do.
Thank you for the opportunity to share some of my/our thoughts.
Sincerely,
John Radtke, MA, RTR, RTN, CNMT
Program Director/Chairman Los Angeles City College Radiology Program
Program Director, Nuclear Medicine Technology Program, Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science
John and family,
Oh, how sad I am to hear Elaine passed away. We have been friends
since Jr. High. I was with her on the very sad occasions of her
brothers’ deaths. We had many good memories of happy times, also.
Please accept our deepest condolences for all of you.
She was a wonderful friend, even though we only met every few years.
Sandy and Dick Sidles
Dear John and family,
Thomas Wolfe wrote in Look Homeward Angel, “I am a part of all that I have touched and that has touched me.” Elaine touched me during our school years because we were often seated close to each other—Coffie and Cuklanz. She was an excellent student and accomplished so much. I was so glad that I got to visit with her at the 50th class reunion. Thanks so much for making that effort to attend the reunion.
For all those that were deeply touched by Elaine, I am so sorry for your loss. May you be comforted and lifted up by the many prayers and love of family and friends.
Dana Coffie Rheinschmidt
Fort Madison, Iowa
Just want to let you know again how truly sorry we are for your loss in the passing of Elaine. She was a wonderful person and we know she will be missed so much by you and your loved ones. May wonderful memories of Elaine and God’s blessings and help be your strength and comfort as you grieve this great loss.
With our thoughts, prayers and love!
Gary & Audrey Lapka
Big Fork, Montana
I am also a highschool classmate of Elaine Cuklanz and I was saddened to hear of her untimely death. I wanted to express my sympathy to her family, friends, and colleagues, and share my remembrance of Elaine as a highschool friend. Even back then, Elaine was an outstanding example for all who knew her. I admired her very much and remember her with such fondness… quiet and caring, serious about her studies, always kind and helpful, and friendly to all. It is wonderful to read of her accomplishments and to know that she continued to live her life with a love of learning, with the same sense of caring for others, and with a remarkable sense of focus and purpose. I am grateful to have been touched by her life and am holding her family and friends close in prayer.
John, our thoughts and prayers have been with you and your family.
To the Cowan and Cuklanz family I would loke to offer my prayers and thought for Elaine. I did not know you but hope I was a great friend of Elaine’s.
I was a member and site visitor for the JrcNMT since its inception and of course a member of the Society of Nuclear Medine.
Elaine andI had many great get-togethers and of course many laughs.
As I said not only Elaine but you are all in my prayers.
I was a student at the Bryman School and later an Instructor. Elaine was the best to work for and we were like a family. My regrets to John and the family, margie
I thank Elaine for my career successes today, she was a huge inspiration to me and gave me my first career opportunity. I am sorry, the world has lost a great woman and my thoughts are with you in your time of sorrow and celebration John.
I am sorry to learn about the death of Elaine J. Cuklanz Cowan. This must have been a difficult time for all. Therefore, I am forwarding scripture to bring solace. Please, read the following scriptures: Psalm 90:10, Genesis 5:3-32 and Hebrews 9:27.