Elaine Emma Gonske, age 97, passed to her eternal home on August 9, 2023.

Elaine was born on September 10, 1925, on the family farm near Comstock, WI.

She was the sixth of thirteen children. After graduating from Barron High School in 1943 she attended Barron County Normal, got her teacher’s certificate and taught in various one-room schools in Barron County for 5 years. She later attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, majoring in foreign missions. In 1958 her lifelong dream came true as she headed to Tanzania, Africa, where she served at Mwika Bible School for 12 years. Her final adventure before leaving Africa was to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with her friend Beradine Oberg from Rice Lake. On return to the US she worked as parish secretary at Zion Lutheran Church in Minneapolis until her retirement. In 2007 she moved back to Rice Lake to be near to family. She also spent many volunteer hours with various projects at Bethany Lutheran Church.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Gottlieb and Emma Gonske; brothers and sisters in law, Walter (Eleanore), Edwin (Pat), Bud (Ardith), Raymond (Viola), Willard; sisters Irene (Arno) Schulz, Edna, Norma.

She is survived by brothers D.James, Harold, Robert (Judy), Kenneth (Alexa), and nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Funeral Services will be held at 11AM Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake, Rev. Sue Eidahl officiating, with interment in Nora Cemetery in Rice Lake. Visitation will be held from 930-11AM Saturday, September 9, 2023 at the church. Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Last Update: Aug 10, 2023 11:35 am CDT