Obituary of Elaine Gertrude Bell

Age 93, of the Town of Lincoln in Wood County, passed away peacefully at House of the Dove in Marshfield on Saturday, July 27, 2019.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Bakerville. The Rev. Keith Kitzhaber will officiate with Deacon Raymond Draeger attending. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday at 9 AM until the time of services at the church in Bakerville. The honor of pallbearer belongs to Kevin Baltus, Michael Kelnhofer, Charles Langreck, Olin Boson, Ethan Bell and Caymen Bell. Honorary pallbearers are Keith Baltus, Jim Kelnhofer, Elliot Bell and Hayden Boson.

Elaine was born on July 16, 1926 in Marshfield, the daughter of Charles and Rosita (Wiltgen) Hansen. She graduated from Marshfield Senior High in 1945. On October 1, 1945 she was united in marriage to Lloyd Bell at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Bakerville. She dairy farmed alongside her husband in the Town of Lincoln while raising their six children.

Elaine’s greatest passion was for her family and grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her hobbies included couples bowling, dancing and snowmobiling with the snow rovers. One of her childhood accomplishments was to learn how to ski on homemade skis she received as a Christmas gift from her father. She also was an avid reader, loved to work in her flower garden, write letters to soldiers and was an avid Packer Fan.

Elaine was a longtime member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Bakerville, Christian Mothers and Bakerville Snow Rovers.

Elaine will be greatly missed by her six children: Diane (Dennis Kowalski) Baltus of Weston; Kathleen (David) Langreck of Marshfield; Pattie (Ron) Kelnhofer of Marshfield; William (Linda Kretschmer) Bell of Weston; Amy (Eric) Boson of Marshfield and Timothy (Nicole) Bell of Collierville, TN; 21 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren; sister June Stangl of Stanley; sister-in-law Colleen Bell of Lindsey and sister-in-law Muriel Bell of Marshfield.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; her parents Charles and Rosita Hansen; her great-grandchildren Laura, Jonathon and Nicholas McNamara; her twin sister Eloise (Harold) Henseler; her brother Charles (Bette) Hansen and her brothers and sisters-in-law Melvin (Anita) Bell, Norbert (Marcella) Bell, Zeno Bell, Raymond Bell, Ray (Lilas) Feirer, Charles (Delphine) Hansen, Myron (Ruth) Dix, Ervin (Lorraine “Honey”) Pichler, and James Stangl.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Elaine’s name are being accepted to the House of the Dove in Marshfield and since she was an avid reader throughout her life memorials are also being accepted to the Everett Roehl Marshfield Public Library.

Our deepest gratitude to Dr. Greg Anderson and staff at the oncology department at Marshfield Clinic Health System. The House of the Dove for love and support in mom’s final days.

Elaine’s enduring love, sacrifice and courage has left a mark with all who knew her. May she rest with the angels and her twin sister Eloise.

Her arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.