Elaine E. Peklo

Elaine E. Peklo, age 75, passed away Friday, January 22, 2016 at Wheaton Franciscan- All Saints Medical Center, after a courageous battle with cancer. Elaine was born in Racine, March 12, 1940, daughter of the late Joseph and Ruth (Nee: Hostettler) Wagner, the oldest of four daughters.

Elaine was a graduate of St. Catherine’s High School “Class of 1958”. On June 13, 1959, Elaine was married to Fred G. Peklo at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Elaine is survived by her husband Fred Peklo Jr. and one sister Loraine Kosterman and three daughters, Debra (Fred) Swenson, Sheryl (Gary) Estep and Jennifer (Bob) Carder and three grandsons, Gregory Goetsch, Nicholas Estep, and James Parkhill and one great grandson, Elliot Parkhill, all of Racine, WI. Elaine is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear friends. Elaine was preceded in death by her sisters, Delores Richards and Rosemary Wagner.

Elaine was a stay at home mother and later worked at the Red Cross Drug Co. When Elaine retired she took care of her mother Ruth and one sister, Rosemary, driving Rosemary weekly to Milwaukee for treatment. Elaine loved people, animals and flowers. She was an avid flower gardener, both in Racine and at her second home at the corner of H and 151, in Brothertown, Calumet County. At both homes people would either stop by and come to the house and get permission to look at the flowers and take many pictures.

Elaine loved Christmas, she could spend two weeks decorating the Christmas tree and placing flowers in every possible space in every room of her home. The last few years were not particularly kind to Elaine as health problems complicated. In 2013 she was diagnosed with cancer, a disease she fought for years. Elaine is deeply missed by immediate family, Fred her husband for more than 57 years and many wonderful friends.

Elaine was a lifetime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was in charge of the rummage and estate sale for many years. Elaine also liked to bake cakes, she made all the birthday cakes and decorated them with perfection. Elaine had that special touch no matter what she did.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, January 26, 2016, 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1533 Erie Street, with Rev. Richard J. Stoffel officiating. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Tuesday at the church from 9:30 A.M. until time of Mass at 11:00 A.M.

The Peklo family would like to extend the gratitude to Dr. Ryan Engel and his staff for the excellent care and treatment provided to Elaine for the additional years of having Elaine in our lives, and special family friend, James DeVargas.