Elaine Evans Kalsta was born in Billings, Montana, on January 5, 1941, and spent her early years on her parents’ ranch in the shadow of the Big Snowy Mountains. The family later moved to a ranch near Lavina, Montana. She loved being on horseback, whether trailing cows, checking fence, or repairing windmills that kept water flowing to the herds. She attended school in Lavina, playing the French horn, cheerleading, and breaking a young horse that would become her barrel horse when she joined the rodeo team at Montana State University.
Elaine excelled in MSU’s nursing program, working throughout the university’s network in Great Falls, Warm Springs, Southern California, and finally Butte. It was in Butte, one evening, that a tall rancher named Gunnar Kalsta accompanied a friend to the student nurses’ housing to pick up Elaine’s roommate for a night of dancing. Elaine decided she might go along — a simple choice that changed the course of her life.
Elaine and Gunnar were married in Roundup, Montana, on November 9, 1963, and made their home on the ranch at Glen. There, Elaine brought her unwavering commitment to excellence to every part of her life. Whether working at the county nursing home, helping with cattle, driving stock truck, keeping an immaculate yard and acres of garden, raising a family, serving as a 4-H leader, feeding crews, or later returning to nursing at Barrett Memorial Hospital, Elaine accepted nothing less than her absolute best.
Over the years, Elaine’s work contributed to countless lives saved and supported throughout Dillon and the surrounding communities. She was a fierce advocate for her patients and challenged those around her to meet the highest standards of care, whether in the emergency room, the delivery room, or on a mountainside. Elaine retired from Barrett Memorial Hospital in 1998 and spent several years working on an osteoporosis study before taking on what would become her most demanding nursing role.
During the final year of Gunnar’s life, Elaine managed his care with the devotion of a wife and the professional advocacy and skill that all who knew her had long come to expect.
After Gunnar’s death, Elaine remained on the ranch but took several meaningful trips, including a month-long journey to New Zealand to visit her daughter Shannon. They toured the country together — a trip Elaine spoke of fondly for the rest of her life.
Elaine is survived by her children, Erik Kalsta (Jami Murdoch), Shannon Kalsta, & Shari Kalsta; and her grandchildren, Maya & Sophia Kalsta-Watkins, Rhiannon & Lars Murdoch Kalsta.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to Barrett Health Foundation in Dillon, Montana; MSU College of Nursing or MSU Rodeo Team.
Service Information: A memorial will be held on March 15 from 2:00–5:00 p.m. at Big Hole River Retreat, 770 Brownes Bridge Road, Glen, Montana.
Axelson Funeral & Cremations is privileged to care for Elaine and her family.
Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of Elaine.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Sunday March 15, 2026
Big Hole River Retreat
770 Brownes Bridge Rd
Glen, Montana 59732
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Sunday March 15, 2026
Big Hole River Retreat
770 Brownes Bridge Rd
Glen, Montana 59732
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Gayle G. says
I share your sorrow over Elaine’s passing. Will be in touch. Gayle G
Trina Jensen Crane says
My first memory of Elaine is seeing her in this immaculately tended large garden and a golf cart waiting idly by for her to zoom here and there around the ranch yard. I was invited to have lunch at her and Gunner’s house one day and upon meeting Elaine and during lunch conversation, I thought to myself that “this lady says it like it is, she is kinda scary, I don’t want to say or do the wrong thing”. I discovered during that lunch that Elaine was a kind and caring woman with an aura of total bad ass…and she makes the best apple pie I have ever had in my life. She never changed, that first impression held true for as long as I knew her. Elaine was always welcoming and kind to me, and I am honored to call her my friend.