Elin Christina Mianecki

Elin Christina Mianecki, 82, was a remarkable woman! Even her entrance into this world was remarkable, as there were 14 years between her, and what her parents thought would be their youngest. She was a later-in-life surprise baby.  

She was born in 1942 to John and Alice Peterson of Emmett, Idaho. With the age gap between her and her older siblings, she would spend time with and become close with many of her nieces, nephews and cousins. In Emmett in 1960, she completed her childhood schooling. After, she went on to cosmetology school and then started working in Boise, Idaho, at a beauty shop in the Mode’s Department store.  

She met Frank, the love of her life- her prince, her partner, the man that would spoil her rotten — at a dance at Mountain Home Airforce base and they became married Dec. 1, 1962.

Frank and Chris moved to Royal City, Wash., on July 4, 1964. Frank worked for his brother-in-law for a short time and then went to work for Blaine Brown while doing some farming of his own. In 1967, they purchased about 300 acres, put a single-wide trailer in the corner, and said to themselves, “If we push it, we can make it.” Push it they did and after much blood, sweat and tears, and A LOT of grit, they ended up farming about 1,000 acres for 25-30 years.  

We have heard many times by fellow farmers that “Frank was the hardest worker they knew.” Make no mistake, so was Chris! Most are familiar with Paul Harvey’s “and on the eighth day God made the farmer; well, on the ninth, He made the farmer’s wife! Chris is about as true to that statement as any wife could get!  

Their first tractor, a JD 3010, was bought in 1964 and then in ’68, they went to farming their own land full time and they were able to add a 4020 to their “fleet.”  

Chris’ first job outside the home was in Royal at the Titan Restaurant. She did that and was still changing “A LOT” of water, all while having babies. When she had her oldest, Loni, she built herself a baby backpack “before they were a thing” so that she could keep changing water. Of course she did; she was remarkable.  

In 1979, through hard work, saving, and a little luck, they were blessed to build their beautiful dream home on their farm where they raised their three amazing kids. Both Frank and Chris had the privilege of passing in their home as they both had prayed they would. OK, mom didn’t so much pray as she did demand. Either way, what a blessing!  

Chris would have many jobs and many hobbies and much volunteering within her community. And she was remarkable at all.  

Her favorite “farm job” was driving silage truck, which she did for better than 25 years. She will tell you that she wanted to do it until she was 70 but “the boys fired her” at 68, which they actually did due to her health.  

We all knew her as an outstanding seamstress. Her love for sewing outweighed any other hobby she had in life, and it showed. Her sewing room was just short of a fabric store. There, she would create clothes for herself, her family and friends. She would make, alter, and mend many dresses for school dances, Jr. Miss, brides and bridesmaids. Chris made Connie’s lavish wedding dress and it was absolutely fit for a princess! Little girls in the '80s and '90s dreamed of a Princess Diana dress. Chris helped Connie live the little girl's dream of a stunning dress with a long, ornate train and a heart shape cut out in the back!! 

Another remarkable quest for Chirs was horses. She had a love of horses. She bred, raised and trained quarter horses and those horses then participated in showing Western, English and Equestrian jumping. And as one friend of the family, who had the privilege of being taken under Chris’ wing, stated, “She generously shared her wealth of knowledge and resources.” Mom did that. Took people, especially kids, under her wing. She was loving yet stern and would go out of her way to help. And she would walk through fire for her family. Chris was generous with her time and was involved with many community functions; everything from Jr. Miss to parades to community days to 4-H. There are certainly many more that could be listed. And certainly, we could write a remarkable book about Chris and each and every one of you probably would have a remarkable chapter of your own to add.  

Her most successful job, hobby, true love, was taking care of her kids, her husband, her grandkids and her great-grandkids. Her life most certainly revolved around taking care of her extraordinary family. All of them. As much as she could for as long as she could. We have indeed lost our matriarch; the brass and brains, our beautiful mom, grandmother, auntie, cousin, friend, pillar of our fabulous little community. She was indeed tough and kind, she was sweet and funny, and she was a firecracker.  

As her daughter-in-law, Connie said, “Chris was there, with her opinions, her help and her advice. There will never be another like her.”  

Elin Christina Mianecki was a remarkable woman. Elin Christina Mianecki died peacefully in her bed, in her beautiful home, with loving family, on Saturday the 27th of July 2024.

She is survived by her children, Leilani, Frank Jr. (Tammy), Rick (Connie); her grandchildren, Landon, Meghan, Hunter and Rebecca; and her great-grandchildren, Noah, Arianna and Anthony. She is preceded in death by her doting husband, Frank Sr., her grandson, Trevor, and her grandson, Brandon.  

There will be a visitation at Kayser's Chapel of Memories, 831 S. Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, Wash., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, from 2-5 p.m. A memorial service will be held Aug. 17, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Royal City Intermediate School Gymnasium followed by internment at Royal Memorial Gardens. After services, please join the family for a reception at the Intermediate School Cafeteria. 

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at https://bit.ly/ECMIANECKI. 

    Chris Mianecki met the love of her life, Frank, at a dance on an Air Force base. They lived a wonderful life together farming and raising a family.