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Obituary: Elaine Janice (Boeck) Peterson

Jan. 17, 1938 – Feb. 23, 2022

Elaine Janice Peterson (née Boeck), 84, died peacefully from heart failure in Glendale, Wisconsin, surrounded by family and her cat.

Elaine was born in Milwaukee, which remained her home for most of her life. She spent her teenage years in Door County and graduated from Gibraltar High School. While working in Milwaukee, she met and married her first husband, William Nowitzke, with whom she had three daughters.

In 1975, she married her second husband, Robert Peterson, and her family expanded to include her three stepchildren. Once her children were grown, Elaine returned to school to complete a dietetic technician program and worked on several health care teams until her retirement. In her final years, Elaine traveled around the U.S. and in Turkey, moved to Glendale, and took great pride in her loved ones’ achievements and growing families.

Elaine was an avid reader of science fiction and political thrillers, an animal enthusiast with a special place in her heart for birds and a gentle soul who cherished quality time with her family. She also found joy in gardening, baking and sewing. She will always be remembered for her humor, the openminded kindness with which she embraced those around her, and her appreciation for the simple pleasures in life, including cats, cardinals and Culver’s.

Elaine is survived by two of her daughters, Jeanne Godfrey (Chad) and Susan Ewbank (Mark); stepchildren, Sandi Wanzer (Brian), Mary Kay Peterson (Phil), and Robert Peterson (Brynne); siblings, Jim Boeck (Linda), Rosie Kenkel, Nita Michalski (Bill), and Mickey Boeck (Sheila); grandchildren, Selcuk, Madeline, Mitchell, Yates, and Mercy; great-grandchildren, Noah, Isaac, and Audrey; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnephews, grandnieces and extended family members.

She is predeceased by her husband, Robert Peterson; eldest daughter, Mary Tsolak; brother Jeffrey Boeck; and parents, May and Alvin Boeck.

Elaine’s memorial service and celebration of life will be held in Door County over Memorial Day weekend. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Robert, in Blossomberg Cemetery within Peninsula State Park.

Memorials may be given in her name to the Wisconsin Humane Society.

Expressions of sympathy, memories and photos of Elaine can be shared through her tribute page at caspersonfuneralhome.com.