Elaine Swanson was born on July 23, 1940 in Willmar, Minnesota to Elmer and Marthilda Legaarden. She was the youngest of four daughters.

She attended Augsburg College and received a Home Economics degree. She met her husband Sheldon Swanson shortly thereafter and was married nine months later. They were married on September 28, 1963. Seven years later after the birth of their first daughter Deborah Ann they moved to Florida. Three years later, Rebecca Joy was born.

Before entering the mission field, Elaine worked at Winter Park Memorial Hospital as a Food Service Manager for fifteen years. Upon the death of her husband on May 22, 1994, she left her position at the hospital in 1995. One year later she joined the staff of Church In The Son for three years. At the age of 14 Elaine felt the call to missions. Her husband had always been actively involved in missions trips and their desire was to go on the mission field together after their daughters were out of school. Forty-six years later at the age of 60 she began to fulfill the call to missions. Her first trips brought her to Haiti, Russia, and Germany. She spent the majority of the past 15 years in Bergen, Norway and Kenya, Africa. Elaine began her Norway ministry by discipling 12 women she connected with in the local church. In the last years Elaine traveled most of the time throughout Norway including the Arctic region of Norway where she preached one of her last messages this past September. Her message was to the body of Christ. She felt called to disciple and equip the believers to walk a victorious, spirit-filled life. She often spoke of the cross and complete surrender. She had a heart for revival and often spoke about the end-times.

Over the past 16 years she has been blessed with 7 grandchildren including Mariah (16), Micah (who went home to Jesus this past October at the age of 11), and Josiah (9) born to Patrick and Debbie Van Horn, and Jaden (12), Zoe(10), Cali(7), and Lainey (19 months—named after Elaine) born to Torben and Rebecca Abbott. She cherished her time with the grandchildren and used her Little Red Riding Hood stories and individual overnights to impart spiritual truths into their lives. She was able to take three of the grandchildren back to her home state of Minnesota as a special trip with her when they reached the age of 10. She was affectionately known as "nanna" and "nanny."

She was admitted to the hospital on May 2nd and twelve days later she passed peacefully to her heavenly home on May 14, 2016. The nurse at her bedside said, "This was one of the most peaceful home goings I have ever seen." Her favorite verse during this challenging time was Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." She was a magnet to many women who were looking for a spiritual mother. Her footprints were left all over the world. Her heartbeat was felt by many. She was cherished. She was loved. Her legacy lives on.