ELAINE M. SAWYER
ELAINE M. SAWYER
Elaine M. Sawyer, 93, of Melrose, died Monday, Nov. 21, 2022, at Liberty Village Assisted Living in Tomah where she resided for the past five months. She was born Oct. 18, 1929, in Galesville, WI, to Joseph and Josephine (Hagestad) Norgaard.
The early years of her life the family lived in the Hardies Creek area near Galesville, and eventually settled in rural Melrose. Elaine was baptized and confirmed in the Hardies Creek Lutheran Church. She graduated from Melrose High School in 1947 and on May 22, 1948, she married Evans (Bill) Sawyer at the Melrose United Methodist Church. Bill and Elaine enjoyed 50 years together before his passing on Oct. 31, 1998.
In their early years of marriage, Bill and Elaine farmed in Melrose, and during the summer months while Bill worked on the road for Mathy Construction, Elaine and the girls managed the farm. In 1965, they sold the farm, built a home in town and purchased the Champlain Gas Station. Bill was the mechanic and Elaine was the bookkeeper. After the girls were raised, she worked for the Black River Chiropractic Clinic for 24 years as a chiropractic assistant, retiring in 1994. After Bill’s passing, she worked part-time as site manager for Jackson County Aging Unit with the senior meals program, retiring in 2018.
Elaine was active in her church. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, was the church treasurer and belonged to the Joy Circle. She also belonged to the Towerette Homemakers and Melrose American Legion Auxiliary Unit 439.
She is survived by her daughters, Mary Jane Chitwood and Paulette (Jason) Revak, Wisconsin Rapids, Ann (Arnie) Peterson, Onalaska, and Dawn (Howard) Tracey, Mindoro; six grandchildren, Scott (Stephanie) Seifert, Brent (Sarah) Seifert, Haven Tracey, Melanie Tracey, Jennifer Stender, Gregory (Mindy) Peterson; and 16 great-grandchildren, Kaitlin, Alaina, Kyla, Ava, Hyatt, Trevor, Taylor, Sean, Jacob, Noah, Cole, Samuel, Alexander, Susan, William and Violet. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Dave (Barb) Norgaard of La Crosse; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband; a sister and brother-in-law, Betty (Bob) Wyss; all of Bill’s six siblings and their spouses; a great-grandson, Justin; and Mervin Yeske who was her friend and companion for many years.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at Melrose United Methodist Church, Melrose, WI, with Reverend Roberta Nowicki officiating. Burial was in Melrose Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the Melrose United Methodist Church, Melrose First Responders or a memorial of your choice.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Liberty Village for the care she received and the excellent, loving and compassionate support from the staff at St. Croix Hospice.
Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.