WAUSAU - Elaine Edna (Schwarz) Hoppe was born December 4, 1946 to Clare and Elaine Schwarz of Sparta, WI. She grew up on Summit Ridge by Norwalk and attended Bohn Elementary School and Sparta High School. She attended St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Marshfield where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
Elaine married Gerald Hoppe on September 28, 1968 at St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church at Summit Ridge, Norwalk and enjoyed 55 years of marriage.
Elaine was a surgical nurse for 9 years at Wausau Eye Clinic and taught Surgical Technicians in North Central School in Wausau. She was also in research at Wausau Hospital. Working with Lasers of America, she helped set up new Eye Laser Clinics throughout the area. Her final years she worked as an RN in the Colonial Manor Nursing Home.
She retired for health reasons and continued to enjoy traveling, gardening, painting and especially carving.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry; six adopted children; many grand and great-grandchildren; siblings, Mary (Robert) Smothers, James (Mary) Schwarz, Stephanie Tatzel, Melchior (Deb) Schwarz, Amelia (Dave Pottinger) Schanhofer, Doug (Deb) Schwarz, and Michelle (Jeff) Dzurik; brother-in-law, Malend Raiten; 3 sisters-in-law.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Margaret Raiten.
Elaine and family would like to thank the Aspirus Hospital and Aspirus Hospice of Wausau, and Rennes Rehab and Health care facility of Weston for the care she received these last months.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau, with Father Sebastian Kolodziejcyk officiating. Burial will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.
Family and friends are invited for visitation from 10 a.m. until 12 noon on Wednesday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
