Elaine L. Mittelsteadt, 83, of Merrill, died Thursday, March 1, 2012, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Elaine was born Aug. 30, 1928, in Merrill, daughter of the late Lawrence and Martha (Graap) Wendt, Sr. She married Carl H. Mittelsteadt on Oct. 12, 1946, in Merrill. He preceded her in death on March 31, 1998. Elaine had waitressed at the former Lincoln House Restaurant, Merrill, Riverside Club, Merrill, the Corning Ballroom, and the Union Hall in Merrill. She had also been employed as a nurse’s aid at the former Holy Cross Hospital, Merrill. Elaine was a life member of the Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center Auxiliary, and also belonged to the ‘Red Hat Society’. Elaine and her late husband Carl were some of the original founders of the Lincoln County Farmer’s Market. For 53 years Elaine was a 4-H leader with the Corning All Stars. Elaine’s passions were being with people and spending time with her family. She loved to go to church, play bingo, or attend any event where she could mix with people. Her friendly personality is why she was so well liked as a waitress or hostess. Elaine enjoyed cooking for her children and grandchildren, and teaching them “life skills”. She loved to reminisce and remember the ‘old days’ with her grandchildren.
Elaine is survived by her son and daughter in law, Ronald and Faye Mittelsteadt, Merrill, and their family, grandson, Robin (Tania) Mittelsteadt, granddaughter, Rhonda (Chris) Nowak, and their children, Ashley and Nickolas Nowak, granddaughter, Rhegan (Roy) Eggebrecht, and their children, Kyah, Zach, Bryce, and Brady Eggebrecht, all of Merrill; daughter, Cindy (Mike Lemmer) Bushar, of Tennessee, and their family, grandson, Aaron (Jamie) Bushar and their son, Ace Bushar, of Tennessee, grandson, Arick (Josey) Bushar, and their children, Hana and Alexander Bushar, Merrill; daughter, Pam (Paul) Schotz, Merrill, along with their family, grandson, Mitchell Peronto and his daughter, Finlee Lange-Peronto, both of Merrill, granddaughter, Carlee (Ryan Wilde) Peronto, Merrill, and granddaughter, Kayla (with, Keith Fruncillo) Schotz, U.S. Coast Guard in Portland, Maine; her sister, Harriet Coyer, Wausau; son in law, Arnold Bushar, Merrill; special friends, Leila Marnholtz and Lois Ullman; and her special adopted granddaughter, Makayla Burdick of Merrill. Along with her parents and husband, Carl, Elaine is preceded in death by a grandson, Philip Bushar; brother and sister in law, Lawrence and Rose Wendt, Jr.; sister and brother in law, Lois Jean and Ed Lierman; and brother in law, Richard Coyer, Sr.
The funeral will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday, March 5, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. R. Brian Stolarczyk will officiate. Burial will take place in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Town of Scott. Visitation will be from 4-8 P.M. Sunday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and after 9:30 A.M. Monday at the church.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com