Elaine M. Kohli

Elaine Kohli, born Marietta Elaine Haar to Albert and Luella (Runkle) Haar on May 1, 1921, passed away on April 19, 2008. Her children were fortunate to be with her in her last moments at home. Elaine and her two sisters, Gretchen and Carol, lost both of their parents at a very young age. She was adopted at the age of 7 by Louis and Ella Smith, and she was blessed to have a big brother, Howard. In her youth, Elaine enjoyed playing basketball, piano and singing. Robert A. Kohli became her husband on December 13, 1941. They were happily married, enjoying raising six children and sharing life until Roberts death in 1990.

Over the years Elaine worked at many jobs, where she made friendships that lasted her lifetime. She taught by example as she accepted everyone, no matter their background, age or ethnicity. Elaine always saw the best in people and anyone that knew her was witness to her loving kindness. She was affectionately known as Ma to many. Music was an important part of Elaine's life, and she especially loved listening to gospel, country and mariachi music. Her favorite song, which she even sang in her last weeks, was You are My Sunshine. It was the one song she could still find her way through on the piano. Elaine enjoyed listening to Harry Caray call baseball games, and watching football with either the Packers or the Vikings being her team of choice, depending on the day. In the summer she enjoyed watching her #1 Son working in the backyard, and in the fall she looked forward to her son Roger, to get a buck for Pa and a big doe for Ma.

Elaine often spoke of going home by Pa and what a reunion it would be in Heaven with so many family members and friends waiting for her. It is a blessing and comfort to know without a doubt that she is there now, because she trusted in Jesus Christ to be her Lord and Savior. Elaine was a member of St. Matthew's Ev. Lutheran Church in Appleton where she worshiped until she was no longer able.

Elaine is survived by her sons David Kohli, Roger Kohli and Robert Kohli; daughters Karen Lodes, Linda (Joel) Benson and Patricia (Robert) Moreno; and a dear sister, Gretchen Graf. She also was the proud grandmother to Rob Lodes, Sidona Malone, Jorie Lodes, Jon (Svetlana) Baer, Heidi (Rich) Kerrigan, Faith Benson, Kyra Evers, Justin Kohli, Scott Kohli and Amanda (Billy) Morton. Elaine was blessed to have Brendan and Katie, Benjamin, Katherine and James, Daniel and Michael, Jordan, Analyn, and Addyson as her great grandchildren. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Robert, birthparents, adoptive parents, sisters Carol Adams and Henrietta Haar, brother Howard and his wife, Frances, granddaughter Maddy, and a number of dear friends.

The Christian Funeral for Elaine will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at ST. MATTHEW'S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 129 S. Mason Street with Rev. Paul Schuler officiating. Interment will take place at 3:00 PM Wednesday at the Kekoskee Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday, from 12:00 PM until 3:00 PM and again from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Wednesday morning at the church from 9:30 AM until the hour of the service.

The family would like to thank Dr. Bar-Lev, Dr. Groenewold, ThedaCare at Home Hospice staff, especially Jean and Joyce, St. Matthew's Church and Wichmann Funeral Homes for their care and support over the last few years.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton 739-1231
920-739-1231