Elaine Degner

Elaine Edna Degner, 86, passed away March 28, 2018 at Cedar Ridge Elder Services.  She was born August 18, 1931 to Elmer and Lorraine (Seidler) Degner.

Elaine worked for most of her adult life at Wausau Motor Parts, “The Piston Ring” up until her retirement in 1993 which was one of the best days of her life.  She never married but her life was fulfilled by the nieces and nephews who took the place of her own children.  She enjoyed watching them grow up and then many having children of their own.  She loved to sew and completed many special embroidery projects that her family will remember her by.  She loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit many special places.  Her real love was family.  She took special pride in celebrating every family event including birthdays, baptisms, graduations, weddings and reunions.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Lorraine Degner; brothers, Laverne, Robert, Rodger and Elmer Junior.  Survivors include sisters, Mary Ann Raasch and Doris Jean Strehlow both of Wausau and a brother, Jim (Dianne) Degner of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; sisters-in-law, Carole Degner, Wausau and Nancy Schroyer, Jacksonville, FL.  She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews as well as many friends.

Family, friends and others whose lives Elaine touched are invited to attend a celebration of her life at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Wausau.  Rev. Philip Schneider will officiate.  Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Monday, April 2 at Helke Funeral Home; resuming at 10:00 AM on Tuesday at the church until the time of service.  Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Town of Texas.  Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guest book at helke.com.

The family would like to extend our gratitude to the staff at Forrest Park Village, The Gardens, Cedar Ridge Elder Services and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their kind and loving care for Elaine in the last few years of her life.