Elna Jane Hilliard Grahn, professor emerita of mathematics, died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006 at Good Samaritan Village in Moscow. She was 92. Elna was born November 15, 1913 at Baraboo, Wis., to Charles Weare and Anna Eagan Hilliard. She received her early education at Baraboo and Madison, Wis., and at Winona, Minn. In 1931 she entered the College of St. Teresa at Winona. She earned a B.S. in math in 1935 from the University of Wisconsin and an M.S. in math and education in 1941, also from the UW. She pursued graduate study at Stanford University in 1949 and 1950. She married Edgar Grahn on Aug. 22, 1950 at Madison. He retired from the University of Idaho in 1977, a professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Dean Emeritus of the Graduate School. Mr. Grahn died in 1995. Elna's teaching career spanned three decades. She began as a math and PE teacher at Kohler, Wis., in 1936. In 1941-42 she served as math instructor and women's counselor at Emmetsburg, Iowa Junior College and high school. In 1946-47 she was a math instructor at Butler University in Indianapolis, Ind. In 1947 she began teaching at the University of Idaho, serving as math instructor from 1947-49. From 1954-1969, she was supervisor for freshman and graduate assistants math courses. She taught on closed circuit TV from 1962-1969, then a recent innovation in education. During her tenure, she devised and instituted the Math Lab at the UI. Elna retired Professor Emerita in 1969. At the UI, she served on numerous boards and committees, including a stint as Chair of the Student Union Board; the Faculty and Staff Affairs Committee; the Interim Committee (predecessor of the Faculty Council); the Letters and Sciences Curriculum Committee; and as advisor and honorary member of Mortar Board. She frequently spoke at Idaho high schools as part of the Visiting Scientist Program. During WWII, Grahn served on active duty in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), later the Women's Army Corps (WAC). As a WAAC in 1942-1943, she headed a secret Army experiment, proposed by General Marshall, to determine how women could be used as members of anti-aircraft batteries. In 1943, she graduated from Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. She was commissioned a captain in the Army on Sept. 1, 1943 and served as Assistant Quartermaster of the Military District of Washington. She was the first woman to serve on an Army General Court Martial. She commanded the 2525th WAC unit at South Post, Fort Myer, Va., a unit originally of 1,100 women. As the unit grew to 1,900 women, Elna was named Post Assistant Executive Officer, overseeing all WAC matters. She also served as Summary Court and as custodian of the Post Trust Fund. She was promoted to major in December 1944, and was later awarded the Army Commendation Medal for her service. Hilliard Grahn later wrote, "In The Company Of WACS", recounting her experiences in the Army. She was an active member of the American Association of University Women since 1936, serving as the University's Corporate Representative from 1967-1983. She held AAUW offices at the local, state and regional levels. Grahn spearheaded the effort to attain a foundation grant to write the Golden Anniversary History of the Idaho Division of AAUW. She was an elected member of the AAUW Educational Foundation from 1979-1981, and served on it's board. She initiated and co-chaired Volunteers in Moscow (VIM), a clearinghouse for volunteer service. With an AAUW grant, she initiated and chaired EFFORT, an adult literacy project which is now incorporated as Latah County Adult Literacy Council. Grahn served as a member of the Idaho Commission of Women's Programs for a decade, during which time she chaired the Task Force of Women in Prison. She served as president of Moscow League of Women Voters and of Gritman Auxiliary, and was a driver for Meals on Wheels. She helped lay the foundation for the development of the UI Retirees Association, and served as its first treasurer. She was instrumental in the formation of Friends of KUID, serving as its first president, and was later elected to the KUID Hall of Fame. She was a member of the board of the Latah Convalescent Center (now Latah Health Services), served on the Advisory Committee of Home Health Services, school District 281 Affirmative Action Committee, and Finance Committee of St. Augustine's Catholic Center. Her friends will remember her uncompromising honesty, her tireless energy, and her singular wit. The Grahns enjoyed travel, having visited all 50 states, as well as many Canadian provinces, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia and Western Europe. After retirement, they spent time several winters at Hana, Maui, Hawaii. Elna is survived by two nephews, John Hilliard of Madison, Wis., and Robert Hilliard of New Brighton, Minn.; and several great nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, a brother, Gordon Hilliard, and a sister, Jean Calapai, preceded her in death. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine's Catholic Center in Moscow. Rev. Bill Taylor will celebrate and the urn placement with full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Short's Funeral Chapel, Moscow.
