Elaine "Mitzy" E. (Leffel) Dahlke

Elaine “Mitzy” E. Dahlke, 87, Wausau passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

She was born December 17, 1933, in the town of Wien, daughter of the late Henry and Meta (Steffen) Leffel.

She worked at Marathon Electric for years, sold real estate for a brief period, and cooked and served at The Labor Temple.

Elaine went by many names; her most recognized name is Mitzy or at times George. She was an independent, strong-willed woman with a particular way of wanting things to be done. When the kids were younger, she always had her camcorder in her hand. Elaine loved to talk and tell stories of the olden days to whoever was willing to listen.  She seemed to know everyone or their family everywhere she went, impacting lives as she walked through her own life.  To pass time she would sing her favorite songs and she loved her polka music.  Her favorite memories were having family over to play cards or board games. These last couple years she was very proud of her craft projects she would work on and would still be out in her yard weeding her flowers, on nice days, just at a slower pace. Other favorites had been golf, birds, and the wildlife walking through her yard. She was inspirational to us all and made sure she put smiles on our faces with the love in her heart.

Survivors include, her niece, Jody Stevens (Donny) who she proudly helped raise, from a young age after her mom, Caroline passed away. Jody’s children, Dylan Stevens (Sara) and Ashtin Holz (Jacob) who Elaine often referred to as her Guardian Angel in the later years. Nephew James “Jimmy” Reuter. A special thank you to these above named who took extra time and care this past year delivering all her groceries, medications, waffles, and Cheeto Paws. Elaine had a handful of Godchildren and many other nieces and nephews and their families too numerous to name.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Gordon Leffel, Irene Havlovick, Margaret Taylor, Adeline Dahm, Lorraine Reuter, Mildred Liebers, Delores Leffel, Caroline Guillaume, Arden Leffel, and Norman Leffel.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at St. Anne Parish.  The Rev. Tom Lindner will preside.  Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the church.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Anne Parish.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau oversees arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com