Elaine M. Tetzloff (née Gillis), 96, passed through the pearly gates on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Waterford Magnolia Trails in Wisconsin Rapids.

Elaine was born on July 10, 1928, to Arthur and Nora Gillis in Wisconsin Rapids. She had four sisters—Dorothy, Lucille, Beverly, and Virginia—and one brother, Bob.

She married Clayton Bartlett in 1946, and they welcomed a daughter, Jennifer (Jenny). After their divorce, Elaine met and married Ed Sawaska in 1956, and they had two daughters, Jody and Jeanne. Following Ed's passing, Elaine met Lloyd Tetzloff, and they were married in 1990.

Elaine is survived by her daughters: Jenny Richgels of Madison, WI; Jody (Glenn) Federwitz of Batavia, IL; and Jeanne (Lester) Nakamoto of Jackson, WI. She adored her grandchildren: Amy (Victor) Romandine of Verona, WI; Bryan Richgels (Anna Losacano) of Stoughton, WI; Renee (Eric) Lyon of Elburn, IL; and Lisa (Ben) Xagas of Oswego, IL. Her great-grandchildren: Dominic Romandine; Addilyn, Piper, and Beckett Xagas; and Isla and Axel Lyon.

She is further survived by her stepdaughter, Ann (Mike) Preis of Greenfield, WI; step-grandchildren: Amy (Tim) Reichert, Matt (Renee) Preis, and Joy Kotecki; and step-great-grandchildren: Madison, Natalie, and Alyssa Reichert, and Sawyer, Holden, and Blaire Preis. Elaine also leaves behind many special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Ed Sawaska and Lloyd Tetzloff; all of her siblings; and her stepson, David Tetzloff. Special note: Her sister Lucille (98) passed away just five hours before Elaine, in Kingman, AZ.

Elaine enjoyed being a mother and homemaker. She loved to bake and cook for her family but disliked recipes with pictures, famously saying, "It never looks the same!" She worked at Consolidated, volunteered in her daughters' classrooms at Immanuel Lutheran School, and later worked at Bauer's Floor Mart. She loved painting, wallpapering, and playing games like Pinochle, Sheepshead, and Yahtzee. Big band music was her favorite, and she delighted in giving scooter rides (and the occasional race) to her great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to a charity of your choice.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life in June. They wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Renaissance Wisconsin Rapids and Waterford Magnolia Trails for their compassionate and loving care of Elaine, treating her like family.

John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time.  Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com