Gaya Jean Elston

Gaya passed away on June 18, 2026 at the Emerson Health and Rehabilitation facility in Spokane, WA. She was born on September 12, 1942, to Edward Carl Ristau and Olive Alice (Wing) Ristau, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, the fifth of six children. At age 4 the family moved to Spokane, where she resided for the remainder of her life. After graduating from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, Washington, she began her lifetime of serving others in her many careers. While active in many careers the one that stood out the most was her time as a Home Health Care Worker because of her love for serving others. Her favorite pastime was writing poetry which she pursued for a lifetime. This was a passion that remained with her all of her life. She (later in life) completed an associate’s degree from SCC in Spokane. While aways caring for and serving others. Gaya is survived by her husband Arthur E. (Dick) Elston of the home. She is survived by her four children: Robin (Mike) Livingood, Sally (Gary) Helms, Jeff Leinen, David (Jenn) Rowberry and her two stepdaughters Becky (Keith) Terry all from the Spokane area and stepdaughter Jamie (Todd) Patterson of Salt Lake City, UT. She has 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. And we must not forget the very loyal companion, Molly the Pug dog at home. She is also survived by a sister Glory Dalton of Boston, Massachusetts. Gaya was very involved in serving others in her callings within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And was a friend of everyone. She will be sadly missed by family, friends, Church and the community.