Elaine Kuenzel Obituary

Elaine L. Kuenzel, of West Bend was called home to Jesus at her home on June 30, 2025 at the age of 101. She was born on October 23, 1923 to the late Herbert and Adelia (nee Gullikson) Loeper. She attended Gospel Grade School and Rufus King High School where she met a classmate named Ed Kuenzel. They both played cello and Ed got yelled at by a teacher for flirting with her. They remained just friends. After graduating in 1941, Elaine started a clerking job at Schuster’s in downtown Milwaukee and Ed went off to college at the University of Michigan in Houghton to become a Metallurgical Engineer. They kept in touch. Elaine started her nurses training at the Milwaukee Hospital School of Nursing in 1942 and graduated as an RN in 1945. She started out as a Visiting Nurse on the south side of Milwaukee and eventually was a pioneering nurse in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee. After graduating in 1944, Ed went overseas in WWII and served in the South Pacific.They continued to correspond and.shared many of their hopes and dreams. Ed proposed in a letter. She married Edwin C. Kuenzel on September 13, 1947 at Elaine’s parents church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, in Withee, WI. They began their married life in Milwaukee and were blessed with four amazing children.

Elaine and Ed read a book together titled “5 Acres and Independence” which saw them aspiring to buy an old 1850 Gentleman’s Farm home on 6 acres in Vernon near Mukwonago. They had a beautiful flower garden, raised goats and geese and sold produce. Mom grew to hate it. It was a never ending project and she missed the urban life. So, they returned to Milwaukee where Elaine returned to her career of Nursing which she loved. She retired in 1979 and helped to raise her grandsons, Peter and Stephen. They had another dream which was realized after Ed retired in 1986. They moved to Chula Vista, CA to walk the beaches and live the good life. Elaine found her passion while there and started Art Classes and painted at many of the local landmarks. She became an award winning artist for many paintings and especially her Cougar Cub. Ed and Elaine also joined and enjoyed the Orchid Society. They treasured their years in California and needed to return to Wisconsin, choosing West Bend, to be close to their daughter Kris to help her with Dan’s and Marissa’s health issues.

Elaine was active in Church and an avid reader of the Bible. She was a Stephen’s Minister, Bethel Bible Study Leader, member of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and a Sunday School Teacher. Otherwise, her lifetime hobbies included knitting, reading, gardening and drinking coffee. She loved hosting large extended family gatherings whether it was a picnic in Vernon, or our traditional huge warm Thanksgiving dinners. She would make the entire dinner herself including a multiple selection of homemade pies. Dinner was always followed by the men snoring while they watched football, the women gabbing and drinking coffee, while the kids were running up and down the two sets of stairs.

Those left behind to cherish her memory include her four children; Rev. Dr. Karl (Karen) Kuenzel, Karen Haufmann, Kathy (Rev. Clark) Davis and Kristine (Daniel) Straszewski; grandchildren Peter (Bethany) Miessner, Stephen (Lorrie) Miessner, Dr. Shannon Billington (Danielle Billington), Michael (Erin) Straszewski, Marissa Straszewski, Rebeckah (Petra) Schleider, Rachel (Andrea) Halliwell; great-grandchildren Aaron Miessner, Megan Miessner, Sophie Flanders, Lauren Flanders, Macy Miessner, Piper Flanders, Harper Billington, and Hallie Straszewski. She is further survived by numerous beloved nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Edwin, parents and siblings Lola, June, Janice, and Herbie.

Funeral services will be held on August 1, 2025 at Pilgrim Lutheran Church (462 Meadowbrook Dr, West Bend) at 12 pm Noon. Visitation will be from 10 am until the time of service.

The family would like to thank Horizon Home Care Hospice, The CAREing Hands Home Health Care, Pastor Fisher and Pastor Raffa for their love and compassion shown to our mom.

Memorials to Milwaukee Rescue Mission or Pilgrim Lutheran Church

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Elaine’s arrangements. Additional information and guest book can be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.