Elaine R. Hefner

Elaine Hefner, 93, of Carlsbad NM passed away at home on June 1, 2023.  Funeral arrangements are handled by Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 7, 2023 from 4-6pm.  Services will be on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 2 pm at Grace Episcopal Church in Carlsbad with Father Rod Hurst officiating. 

Elaine was born November 5, 1929 in Le Mars, Iowa to James and Ruth Woollard.  She attended school and graduated in 1947 in Kingsley, Iowa and spent one year at National Business Training College in Sioux City, Iowa.  Elaine worked as a secretary & purchasing agent for a manufacturing company in Laurens, Iowa.  She married Don Ator in 1960 in Fairmont, MN and moved to Crete, Nebraska. They moved to Hutchinson KS in 1962 and were employed by Hahn Truck Line and Western Food Products until 1970.  They purchased the Highway Package & Lounge in 1970 in Carlsbad, NM.  Don died in 1976 and in 1981 Elaine sold the business. 

Elaine married Aulton Hefner in 1991 in San Antonio, TX.  They continued residence in Carlsbad, NM.  She was a former member of Altrusa Club, bowling leagues & First United Methodist Church Hutchinson, KS.  She is a member of Grace Episcopal Church of Carlsbad, NM. 

She was preceded in death by her father, James Woollard of Bandera TX in 1961, her sister in-law, Lynne Woollard of Lovington NM in 1990, her mother, Ruth Woollard of Carlsbad, NM in 2001, her brother, Robert Woollard of Lovington, NM in 2010, her husband, Aulton Hefner of Carlsbad, NM in 2012, and her stepdaughter, Lynda Summers of Ruidoso in 2012.

Elaine is survived by her niece, Alayne Jones, husband, David and grandnephew Douglas of Chandler, AZ; nephew, Steven Woollard of Hobbs; grandniece, Shay Allen and husband, Ryne Klauer of Colorado Springs CO; nephew, Bruce Woollard and wife, Anna of Tucson AZ; stepson Garry Hefner of Carlsbad, and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity or organization of your own choice.   Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com