Elaine (Johnsen) Tarrell

Elaine Tarrell passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at the age of 93. Elaine (Johnsen Luedtke) was born March 27, 1921 to Minnie (Pahnke) and Jack Johnsen in Pine Grove, Wisconsin. She graduated from Denmark High School and Manitowoc County Teachers College. Elaine taught school in Lark, Wisconsin, and also worked for many years at Greenleaf Wayside Bank. On June 2, 1942, she was united in marriage to Edward Luedtke at Pine Grove Lutheran Church. They were blessed with two children. Edward passed away in 1972. Elaine then married her second husband, Ernest Tarrell in May of 1975, at which time she relocated to Canistota, SD. She spent 36 years in Canistota until Ernie’s passing in 2011. Then, in November of 2011, she relocated back to Wisconsin to spend her remaining years with her family. Elaine was active in church work in both the Lark Church and United Church of Canistota, was a delegate to the annual conference for many years, served on the church council as secretary, and on various committees. She was a Sunday school teacher, vacation bible school teacher, youth leader, and president of the Women’s Society at both churches. She was the president of the Dorcas Society and also served on the advisory board of the Good Samaritan Center and very much enjoyed her 25 years of volunteer services there. She was named South Dakota Governor’s Volunteer of the year in 1985. Elaine is survived by her children; Gary (Sandra) Luedtke of Greenleaf, WI, Gail Luedtke and an adopted daughter Diane M. Takala of Germantown, WI; grandchildren: Todd (Michelle) Luedtke of Eagle River, WI, Tammy (Jay) Barta of De Pere, WI, Tracy Luedtke of Freedom, WI, and Rachel (Mike) Taicher of Denmark, WI; great-grandchildren: Brook (Josh) Beardsley of Oshkosh, WI, Ryan (Leslie) Luedtke of Stoughton, WI, Mikaela Luedtke of Eagle River, WI, Jason Luedtke of Freedom, WI, Breanna Barta (Fiance Nicholas Gerrits) of Greenleaf, WI, Holly Barta of De Pere, WI, and Garrett and Colton Taicher of Denmark, WI; great-great-grandchildren: Olivia, Conor and Silas Beardsley, all of Oshkosh, WI. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, many friends and a special friend, Doris Knoespel. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and brother-in-law: Luella and Joe Biemeret; two brothers and sisters-in-law: Orville and Dorothy Johnsen and Roy and JoAnn Johnsen, and her husbands, Edward Luedtke and Ernest Tarrell. Family and friends may visit at Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home, 536 County Road R, Denmark, on Sunday, February 15, from 12:30pm until the time of service at 2:00pm with Rev. Henry Yoap officiating. Online condolences at www.cotterfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, please send donations to a charity of your choice. A special thanks to granddaughters Tammy and Tracy, as well as the entire staff at Brillion West Haven for their kindness and care through the years.

Reception:
Suster's
117 N. Wall St.
Denmark, WI