Elaine Alvine Gudrun Smedal Quant

Elaine Alvine Gudrun Smedal Quant, age 92, passed away on October 16, 2014. She was born in McFarland, WI to Harald and Aasne (Evans) Smedal when her mother was 50 years old. She graduated from Madison East High School in 1939. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Art Education in 1943, and a Master of Science Degree in Art Education in 1945. Elaine worked as Assistant Director to the Memorial Union Workshop at the University of Wisconsin and later as Curator of Education for the Wisconsin State Historical Society. During this time she took courses and work in preparation for her Ph.D in Art History. She was an active member in multiple sororities, and remained involved with the Phi Mu sorority as an officer throughout her life. She was very proud of the book that her brother, Dr. Erling Smedal, published documenting the genealogy of the family and establishing a direct lineage to the Emperor Charlemagne. As a result, she was a member of the Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America.In art, she became particularly adept at Rosemaling, Norwegian folk painting. Her early teacher was Per Lesne of Stoughton, who was well known for his excellence in this art form. Along with her cousin, Anne Tressler Foote, Elaine published Norwegian Design in Wisconsin, a book on Rosemaling using the silk screen process to make the illustrations. Under a Rockefeller Foundation Grant, she did considerable research work on immigrant arts in Wisconsin, which resulted in the publication of a second book, Decorative Art in Wisconsin. Elaine's books are housed in the Library of Congress. Elaine met her future husband, Burton Quant, while painting dioramas at the State Historical Society. They were married in 1948 and moved to Milwaukee where she worked in the Art Department of the Milwaukee Art Institute. She taught at Madison Central High School while her husband completed his advanced degrees at the University of Wisconsin. Elaine also worked at the Wisconsin Department of Veteran's Affairs. At this point, Elaine and Burton decided to start a family and built their own home in Madison. In 1966, Elaine and Burt moved their family to Oshkosh where Burt took a position with Wisconsin National Life. After her children had grown, Elaine returned to teaching Rosemaling classes at Fox Valley Tech for over 25 years. She was a member and Past-President of the Fox Valley Rosemalers and Decorative Painters Association. Elaine also enjoyed serving for many years as a docent at the Paine Art Center, and on the Board of Directors of the Twentieth Century Club. Elaine travelled extensively throughout North America, Europe, the Carribean, Pacific Islands, Asia and the Middle East. She is survived by three of her children, Robert (Sonja) Quant of Oshkosh, Wendy (Leon) Gardner of Seattle, WA, and Barbara (John) Binotto of Kenosha. Elaine has 7 grandchildren, Kristi Levy, Michael Quant, Arin Gardner, Daniel Gardner, Jonathan Gardner, David Binotto, Kelly Binotto; and 5 great grandchildren, Sydney Levy, Jaylen Levy, Sophie Quant, Mia Quant, and Andrew Gardner.She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.Elaine was preceded in death by her parents Harald and Aasne, her husband Burton, her siblings Dr. Erling Smedal, Gunna Smedal, Dr. Agnar Smedal, Dr. Magnus Smedal, Signe (Dr. Leslie) Kindschi, Dr. Harald Smedal, Einar Smedal, and children Susan Quant and James Quant.The family would like to thank the staff at Elijahs Place and Agnesian Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care. Visitation will be on Friday, October 24th, at First English Lutheran Church (1113 Minnesota St., Oshkosh) from 12:30pm until 2:30pm with the funeral service to immediately follow at 2:30pm. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park in Madison on Saturday, October 25th, at 11:00am.

First English Lutheran Church



1013 Minnesota Street
Oshkosh
WI
54902

00:00.0
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm



First English Lutheran Church



1013 Minnesota Street
Oshkosh
WI
54902

00:00.0
2:30 PM



Roselawn Memorial Park



401 Femrite Dr
Manona
WI
53716