Elaine M. Wake

Elaine Marion Wake
Stoughton- Elaine Marion Wake, age 91, of Stoughton, passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. Mrs. Wake was born on September 3, 1919 in Stoughton, the daughter of Oscar and Olga (Hatlevig) Dahl. Elaine was 2 � when her mother died, and she was raised by her big sister Doris, with help from middle sister Bernetta, until her father married Floy, in 1929 Elaine was graduated from Stoughton High School in 1937 and worked for 5� years as a dental hygienist for Dr. Haven in Stoughton. Elaine married Arnold Wake, her high school sweetheart, on June 19, 1938. In 1946 the Wakes moved to Monona. Elaine was a proud stay-at-home mom to her three daughters, Sharon (1942), Susan (1947) and Pat (1953). Sharon died of leukemia at age 24. Elaine was an avid curler and an accomplished tournament bridge player. Elaine loved the game of bridge and belonged to several bridge clubs. Living on Lake Monona for 31 years, she enjoyed boating as well. Elaine had many happy memories of family trips to the Gulf Coast during her daughters' Easter breaks. In 1967, Elaine was named East Side Women's Club Woman of the Year, due primarily to her commitment and service to Meals of Wheels. Elaine and Arnold enjoyed wintering in their Sarasota, Florida home for twelve years. Elaine, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993. The cancer later spread to her bones and in 2004 she was placed in a hospice program. She is survived by Arnold, her devoted husband for nearly 73 years and daughters Susan (Robert) Shenkin of Philadelphia, PA, and Patricia (Geno) Pauline of Denver, CO. Grandchildren include Susan & Bob's children Matthew (PA) and Emily (PA), Pat & Geno's daughters, Theresa (China), Andrea (Uganda), Leah (Uganda) & Jenna (CO), and Sharon's daughter Dee Ann Cooper (MN) & three great grandchildren Elaine is also survived by her nieces, Laura Nielsen, Monona; Barbara McDaniel Ogden (AZ) and Carolyn Blackman (OR); her nephew, David Olson (NJ), many grandnieces and grandnephews, and many special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two sisters Doris Olson and Bernetta Fincher and a niece, Janice Armstrong. Funeral service will be held on Saturday June 11, 11 am, at Covenant Lutheran Church 1525 Van Buren Street, Stoughton, with the Rev. George Carlson, presiding. A visitation will precede the service, beginning at 10 AM, and a reception at the church will immediately follow. Internment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona. Donations may be made in the deceased's honor to Musana Children's Home, Iganga, Uganda, a children's home/school founded and directed by her granddaughters Andrea & Leah (musana.org, Musana Children's Home, 6325 S. University Blvd., Centennial, CO 80121).