Elaine E. Schwefel

Elaine Eleanora Schwefel, 80, of Brownsville, transitioned to eternal life on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in her home. Our Savior brought her to Him in Heaven after her passing as result of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She was born on August 18, 1944, and lived in Lomira, WI. She attended Lomira High School, and graduated in 1962. She was a cheerleader, marionette, and trombone player at a time in history when women’s sports were not available. Elaine met her future husband, O. Paul Schwefel III at Lomira High School. They were married on October 24, 1964 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lomira. They established their life and home together in South Byron, WI where they built the home they lived in together for 60 years. Elaine was blessed with three children: Jason Richard, O. Paul IV (aka Opy), and Christina Lee all of whom were born with cystic fibrosis. She loved her time with her family but also worked hard. Elaine held varying jobs throughout her life depending on her family’s needs. She worked at the Brownsville Clinic, Kindt Lumber, and spent 25 years at Quad Graphics. She finished her career at Quad Graphics in Press Maintenance. In her retirement, she split her time at their home in South Byron and their cottage on Pioneer Lake in Conover, WI. She loved her kids dearly and spent time supporting their interests in place of her own. She was a competitive board game player with a knack for trash talking. No one was surprised if she cheated “just a little bit” to beat her grandkids. She loved Harry Belafonte, Joe’s Fox Hut Pizza, and ice cream. She was a sweet woman with a bright personality, green eyes, and a big smile. She had a great sense of humor that she shared with her son, Opy. She had a special connection with Opy spending their lunches together watching Days of Our Lives. Opy preceded her in death due to complications with cystic fibrosis and a double lung transplant. Her loving husband, Paul, who was her rock in their life, survives Elaine. She is also survived by the following: her son Jason (Erica) Schwefel, grandson Kyle (Haley) Feltes, granddaughter Hannah (Brandon & Alaia) Feltes, granddaughter Lily (Quinton) Shaw, great-grandkids Lettie & Wade Shaw, daughter-in-law Melissa Schwefel, daughter Christina (Paul) Lueck, grandsons William, Ben, & Silas Lueck, her older sisters Carol Kremer & Carolyn Lerch, younger brother Donny Schwartz, brother-in-law Larry Kind, sisters-in-law Sally (Lowell) Boelk, June Nelson, Kathy Schwefel & Patti Schwartz. She is preceded in death by her parents Leslie & Eleanora Schwartz, her in-laws O. Paul II & Gladys Schwefel, her son Opy Schwefel, her older sister Helen Kind, her younger brother Gary Schwartz, her brothers-in-law Ken Kremer, Keith Lerch, Jim “Nellie” Nelson, James Schwefel, & William Schwefel, and her sisters-in-law Joyce Schwartz and Sandra Schwefel Massie. A special thank you to the staff and support received from SSM Home Hospice. Elaine was able to remain at home per her wishes. We are grateful to have such wonderful, respectful and dignified help. Thank you especially to Amanda S. VISITATION: The family will greet friends and relatives from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 855 Martin Avenue, Fond du Lac. SERVICE: Memorial services will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, with Rev. Matt Grunewald officiating. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (www.cff.org), Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, or SSM Health at Home Hospice.

Elaine E. Schwefel

August 18, 1944 - March 26, 2025