To view Elaine's Service follow this link: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/X74K3J7PYD7846KR

Elaine F. Stuefen, 81, longtime resident of Elk River, MN, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, September 7, 2024, in the village of Howard, WI.

The daughter of the late Clair and Doris (Knight) Lemke was born on October 20, 1942, in Elk River, MN.

Elaine was raised in Zimmerman, MN and was a graduate of Elk River, MN, class of 1960. She was a people person who never met a stranger. Her gift of gab was indispensable in her role working at the Elk River Dairy Queen, a position she proudly held for 23 years. Even after her retirement she would run into people out of town that remembered her radiant personality from her time there. On May 7, 1961, Elaine married Bob Stuefen. They shared over 60 incredible years together. Elaine enjoyed word searches, ceramics, and making greeting cards for others. She also relished the opportunity to go to garage sales and loved to go out to eat.  Elaine prayed to know God as a young child. When the three oldest children were ages 3,2 and 1 she wanted them to know God. She heard the gospel in 1965 and embraced it in 1966 and never looked back. She kept her shield of faith to the very end. She and Bob would take people from church out to eat after Sunday Gospel Meeting. Even if they didn't know who they were bringing, it was just one more opportunity to make new friends.

Elaine is survived by her loving husband, Bob; five children, Brad Stuefen, Barb Stuefen, Beth (Kevin) Wagner, Boyd (Ann) Stuefen, Sonya (Brent) Hofman; seven grandchildren, Karissa Wagner, Travis Wagner, Blake (fiancé Denton) Stuefen, Grant Stuefen, Austin (Kelly) Stuefen, Hallie Senn, Drew Senn (special friend Karriey Johnson), Tyler Hofman; two great-grandchildren, Henry and Edith; sister, Judy (Bennett) Wallace; sisters-in-law, Joanne (Cyril) Jochum, Alma Stuefen; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Caroline (Jim) Bergeron; in-laws, Hugo and Carrie Stuefen; brothers-in-law, John "Jack" (Joan) Stuefen, Richard Stuefen.

Friends and family will gather at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave. on Monday, September 16 from 10-11am. The funeral service for Elaine will be held at 11am. Burial will be in King Veterans Cemetery, Waupaca, WI. To send online condolences, visit www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

Elaine's family would like to thank the staff of Aurora Hospice for their sincere, heartfelt care given to Elaine.