Elaine J. Kuhnke

PORTAGE/WYOCENA  --  Elaine J. Kuhnke, age 84, formerly of Whitewater, died on Thursday, March 24, 2011, at Columbia Health Care Center, in Wyocena.

Elaine was born on February 16, 1927, in Beloit, the daughter of Lawrence and Esther (Carpenter) Hopp. She married Harvey Kuhnke on June 7, 1947 at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater.  Harvey died on October 13, 1983.  Elaine was active in the choir and taught Bible Studies in both the Lutheran church, and after becoming a member of the Worldwide Church of God, in Janesville, in 1987.  When the Deerfield House Church began in September 1998, she became its hostess. 

Elaine is survived by four children, Joseph (Mae) Kuhnke, Alice (Paul) Roemer, Candace (Donald) Roeker, and Susan (Jeffery)Homan; 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, a sister, Anita (Loren) Emery; a sister-in-law, Barbara Hopp, many, many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.  Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Frederick Hopp, a sister and brother-in-law, Betty (Otto) Buckeau, and a niece, Tammy Ann Hopp.

Funeral services are private.  Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.  Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.