Elaine Degenhart

Born and raised in nearby Harvey, Elaine remembers when Park Forest was built. A shopping trip to the mall was a treat, and a movie at the posh theater was an event.

           

After graduating from Thornton Township High School, Elaine continued her education at DePauw University and later earned graduate degrees at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. At Urbana, Elaine became involved with an international research project and, once she had earned her PhD, was sent to Europe to continue the work. Elaine enjoyed several years in Paris, Finland, and Germany, interspersed with a two-year stint at NYU-Albany. While at the University of Hamburg, Elaine was called home to deal with a family crisis.

 

After adopting her grandsons, Chris and Adric, Elaine had to find a house in a hurry and, happily ended up in Park Forest. Having two young boys to raise has been a joy. Keeping up with their sports, plays, and Scouts (Chris is an Eagle Scout) has kept Elaine active and young (for her age - her words, not ours!). The family went to a couple of churches in Park Forest before coming to Grace, where the boys' Cub Scout Den met. The warm, friendly welcome that they received here was just what they needed. That was more than thirty years ago, and Elaine says, "I think I’m home to stay at last."