CORRINE MAE (VAN HORN) JELINEK

CORRINE MAE (VAN HORN) JELINEK

     Corrine Mae (Van Horn) Jelinek, 92, passed away peacefully at the Pine View Nursing Home in Black River Falls, WI, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. 

     Corrine was born April 3, 1932, in Garden Valley, WI, to Harmon and Evelyn (Wensel) Van Horn. She grew up there and graduated from Alma Center High School in 1950. In 1951 she was united in marriage to Donald Sheffer. The two briefly moved to Madison, WI, for work before moving back to Garden Valley where they had two children and farmed together until Donald’s passing in 1958. She then worked at the Krohn Clinic for a few years, until she met and was united in marriage to Otto Jelinek in 1960. She and Otto had two children and started the Mile Out Liquor Store together. She was a full-time mom to her four children while also running the liquor store until they retired in the early 90s. After retirement, Corrine helped out at the Thunderbird Museum in Hatfield, spent ‘senior days’ at Burger King, enjoyed baking, and she and Otto could often be found on weekends following the old-time music circuit, enjoying the Polka, Waltz, or any old-time dance until Otto’s passing in 2007. 

     Corrine is preceded in death by her husbands, Donald and Otto; parents, Harmon and Evelyn; sister Vivian Esser; son-in-law Daniel Milnthorpe; and great-grandson William.

     She is survived by her children, Nicki Kast, Jeff (Kim) Sheffer, Diane Milnthorpe, and Dale Ann (Jan) Bohac; grandchildren Jerri Sue, Wade, Tim, Steve, Megan, Jennifer, Caitlin, Kaleb, and Gabriel; 15 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. 

     Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, at the Buswell Funeral Home at 1 p.m. Chaplain Kevin Newell will officiate.  Friends and family are invited to visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Immediately following the service will be the burial at Riverside Cemetery.

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Hatfield EMS and Fire Department and St. Croix Hospice of Black River Falls. 

     The Buswell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, 715-284-2231.